Fuel Loading Completed for 'UAE Barakah Unit 4'... Scheduled to Start Operation Next Year

Barakah Unit 4 Enters Full Operation Phase
Units 1-4 Account for 25% of UAE Power Demand
KEPCO: "Successful Completion of UAE Nuclear Project Establishes Foundation for Follow-up Nuclear Orders"

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 20th that it has completed the fuel loading for Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 19th, marking the official start of its operational phase.

The UAE Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and KEPCO jointly established the UAE nuclear power plant operating company, which obtained the operating license for Unit 4 from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) on the 16th of last month.

Unit 4 began with the first concrete pouring in July 2015, successfully completed the cold hydrostatic test in May 2020 and the high-temperature functional test in July 2022, and finished construction services in May this year. As the final unit of the Barakah nuclear power project, Unit 4 is scheduled to commence operation in 2024 after fuel loading and a phased commissioning process.

The UAE nuclear power plant uses the Korean-designed 1400 MW-class APR1400 reactor type. Once all four units are operational, they will supply 5,600 MW of clean electricity within the UAE, accounting for approximately 25% of the UAE's electricity demand. Additionally, it is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 22.4 million tons annually, significantly contributing to the UAE government's 'Net Zero 2050' carbon reduction policy goal, which aims for zero carbon emissions.

KEPCO expects that, along with the stable operation of Units 1 to 3, the fuel loading of Unit 4 will establish the UAE nuclear power plant as a successful project in the global nuclear market. Furthermore, KEPCO’s capability to execute the UAE nuclear power plant construction project?the largest single project worldwide?is recognized, which is anticipated to have a positive effect on additional overseas nuclear power exports.

Kim Dong-chul, President of KEPCO, stated, "With the successful operation of Unit 4 following Units 1 to 3, this will serve as a model case for many countries pursuing nuclear power introduction to achieve carbon neutrality. We will do our best to ensure the remaining commissioning process of Unit 4 is completed smoothly."

Overview of Unit 4 at Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.