‘New nuclear reactor from South Korea joins UAE power grid’

South Korea’s state-run utility company announced on Sunday that the fourth unit of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been successfully connected to the nation’s power grid. This milestone marks the beginning of commercial operations for the Unit 4 plant, which is expected to add 1,400 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the UAE’s grid.

The Barakah plant, located 270 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, consists of four nuclear reactors built under a billion contract awarded to a KEPCO-led consortium in 2009. South Korea’s export of this homegrown commercial atomic power plant is a significant achievement in the country’s energy sector.

Once all four units are in commercial operation, the Barakah plant is projected to meet up to 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity needs, contributing to the nation’s energy sustainability and net-zero goals. KEPCO’s chief, Kim Dong-cheol, expressed optimism about the successful completion of the UAE reactor project and emphasized South Korea’s commitment to expanding cooperation in the energy field with the UAE.

Looking ahead, South Korea aims to secure more nuclear power plant projects overseas as part of its continued efforts in the global energy market. The successful connection of Unit 4 at the Barakah plant signifies a pivotal moment in the partnership between South Korea and the UAE in the realm of sustainable energy production.