Overview
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation was established by the Abu Dhabi government in 2009 to lead the development of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program. ENEC is the parent organization overseeing the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Arab world’s first operational multi-unit nuclear power station, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.
ENEC operates through subsidiary companies, including Nawah Energy Company, which manages the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Barakah plant, and Barakah One Company, the financial vehicle for the project. This corporate structure ensures clear separation between ownership oversight, operational management, and financial governance.
Strategic Role in UAE Vision 2031
Nuclear energy is a foundational pillar of the UAE’s long-term energy security strategy. The Barakah plant, with its four APR-1400 reactor units, provides approximately 25 percent of Abu Dhabi’s electricity demand with zero carbon emissions during operation. This clean baseload capacity is critical for enabling the UAE to meet its climate commitments while supporting continued economic growth and industrialization.
By establishing a domestic nuclear energy capability, the UAE reduces its dependence on natural gas for power generation, freeing gas reserves for higher-value industrial and export applications. The Barakah program also creates a knowledge-intensive industry that supports workforce development, technology transfer, and scientific capacity building.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
The Barakah plant consists of four Korean-designed APR-1400 pressurized water reactors, each with a capacity of approximately 1,400 megawatts. Construction began in 2012 in partnership with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and all four units have been progressively brought into commercial operation.
At full capacity, the four units produce enough electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes while preventing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually compared to equivalent gas-fired generation. The plant operates under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), which enforces international safety and security standards.
Safety and International Compliance
The UAE’s nuclear program has been developed with an emphasis on transparency and adherence to international nonproliferation norms. The country has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, ratified an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and committed to forgoing domestic enrichment and reprocessing activities. These commitments have earned the program recognition as a model for newcomer nuclear nations.
ENEC and Nawah maintain comprehensive safety management systems, conduct regular international peer reviews, and invest in continuous training programs for operational personnel. The safety culture embedded in the Barakah program is considered essential to maintaining public confidence and regulatory approval.
Workforce and Knowledge Development
The nuclear program has created thousands of high-skilled jobs for UAE nationals, with Emirati employees constituting a growing share of the operational workforce. ENEC’s partnership with academic institutions, including Khalifa University, supports degree programs and research initiatives in nuclear engineering and related disciplines.
This investment in human capital extends the program’s value beyond electricity generation. It creates a cadre of engineers and scientists who can contribute to the UAE’s broader ambitions in advanced technology, energy research, and industrial development.
Looking Ahead
ENEC’s success at Barakah provides a foundation for potential expansion of the UAE’s nuclear fleet and for the development of next-generation reactor technologies, including small modular reactors. As global interest in nuclear energy revives in response to climate imperatives, the UAE’s early and disciplined commitment to this technology positions it as a regional leader and a credible voice in international energy and climate policy discussions.