DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates is nearer to realizing its nuclear vitality targets after connecting the fourth and remaining unit of its formidable Barakah nuclear plant to the grid on Thursday. The 1,400-megawatt unit, when operational, will add a complete of 5,600 gigawatts to the UAE grid. The added nuclear energy brings the Gulf oil producer nearer to realizing its aim of burning much less fossil fuels for home consumption.
Atomic ambitions
The UAE is the primary nation within the Gulf to have a nuclear program. The nation’s nuclear mission began in 2009, when the UAE arrange the Emirates Nuclear Power Company to resolve on how finest to execute plans for an atomic energy mission. ENEC issued tenders and awarded a consortium led by South Korea’s KEPCO to develop the mission at a value of $20 billion. After many delays within the startup of the primary unit, the mission now provides as much as 25% of the UAE’s electrical energy wants.
Evolving vitality combine
Nuclear vitality is a key element of the UAE’s plans to transition its financial system away from oil and meet net-zero targets by 2050 per the Paris Settlement.
In keeping with the Worldwide Power Company, the UAE’s present vitality combine is dominated by pure fuel, which accounts for 63.5% of its electrical energy technology. Oil is second at 29.7%, adopted by nuclear at 3.1% and coal at 3%.
By 2050, the UAE plans to extend the share of renewables to 44%, with fuel accounting for an additional 38% and clear coal and nuclear energy set to make up 12% and 6% of the vitality provide. With extra nuclear capability, the UAE will be capable of rely much less on imported fuel. The nation imports 2 billion cubic toes per day of pure fuel from Qatar through the Dolphin Power Pipeline.
Neighboring Saudi Arabia additionally plans to develop a nuclear business as a part of its vitality transition efforts. The nation plans so as to add 17 gigawatts of nuclear vitality capability by 2032. Nevertheless, progress on its improvement has been gradual.
