United Arab Emirates - World Nuclear Outlook Report

Projection of future nuclear capacity in UAE in 2050

60-year operation (MWe)

80-year operation (MWe)

Under Construction (MWe)

Planned (MWe)

Proposed (MWe)

Potential (MWe)

Government target (MWe)

Total for 2050 (MWe)

5668

0

0

0

0

0

0

5668

United Arab Emirates has four operable reactors at Barakah. Unit 1 was connected to the grid in August 2020, followed by unit 2 in September 2021, unit 3 in October 2022, and unit 4 in March 2024. Those four operating units add up to a total net capacity of 5348 MWe and supply up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity demand.

New capacity

In April 2024 it was reported164 that the UAE was planning to launch a tender for construction of a new nuclear power plant. However, there has been no official announcement to date.

In November 2024 it was announced that the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and government-owned diversified energy group ADNOC are to evaluate the deployment of advanced nuclear technology such as small modular reactors to support the UAE's energy diversification strategy, and will look into using excess heat from the Barakah nuclear power plant in ADNOC's oil and gas operations.165

The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to have nuclear providing 6% of total energy supply by 2050166
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