Unit 1 of Barakah nuclear plant reaches 80% capacity

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant's Unit 1 is now operating at 80 per cent capacity.

The facility in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region has been gradually raising the reactor's power levels while collecting data and fine-tuning safety and control systems.

Throughout this process, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT), the systems of Unit 1 are monitored and tested to ensure their compliance with national regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability.

The PAT is being conducted under the supervision of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), which has carried out more than 280 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development.

These national reviews have been supported by more than 40 assessments and peer reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

The operations team at Unit 1 are now working to increase the plant’s electricity production to 100 per cent capacity, marking the final stage of PAT.

Following the achievement of 100 per cent power, Unit 1 will be gradually shut down to enable the commencement of a Check Outage.

During the Check Outage, which takes place over a period of several months, Unit 1’s systems will be carefully examined, and any planned or corrective maintenance will be performed to ensure its safety and reliability prior to the commencement of commercial operations.