UAE President says nation takes significant step towards net zero

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan says the UAE has taken a significant step towards net zero as operations at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant begin.

Posting on X, the UAE President wrote: "With the start of operations at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the UAE has taken another significant step on the journey towards net zero. We will continue to prioritise energy security and sustainability for the benefit of our nation and our people today and tomorrow."

With the start of operations at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the UAE has taken another significant step on the journey towards net zero. We will continue to prioritise energy security and sustainability for the benefit of our nation and our people today and…

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 5, 2024

Unit 4, the fourth and final unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, has added 1,400 megawatts of extra clean electricity capacity for powering the national grid.

The plant is expected to prevent more than 22 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equal to removing 4.8 million cars from the roads.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai also posted on X saying: "Today, thank God, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant completed full commercial operation of its stations. Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will provide 25% of the country's electricity needs.

أكملت اليوم بحمدالله محطات براكة للطاقة النووية التشغيل التجاري الكامل لمحطاتها ..

براكة للطاقة النووية ستوفر 25٪ من احتياجات الدولة من الكهرباء ..

براكة للطاقة النووية أكبر مصدر للطاقة النظيفة في المنطقة ..

براكة للطاقة النووية أضافت أكبر نسبة كهرباء نظيفة للفرد في السنوات…

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 5, 2024

"Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the largest source of clean energy in the region. Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has added the highest percentage of clean electricity per capita in the past five years worldwide, 75% of which is produced by Barakah plants.

"Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will reduce 22 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing 4.8 million cars from the roads.

"Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant: A vision, a decision and a project of Mohammed bin Zayed, may God protect him... an Emirati achievement, an Arab pride and a global addition to protecting the planet."