Abu Dhabi advances fuel plan for Barakah nuclear plant
25 November 2025
Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (Enec) and France’s Framatome have completed the first lead fuel assemblies for the Barakah nuclear energy plant.
The assemblies were manufactured at Framatome’s US-based facility and will now undergo testing under Enec’s fuel qualification programme before any commercial use.
Barakah is the first multi-unit nuclear energy plant in the region. Its four APR-1400 reactors generate about 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually and supply around 25% of the UAE’s power demand.
In July, the firms announced a fuel supply agreement as part of Enec’s strategy to diversify Barakah’s nuclear fuel sources.
The plant completed its first year of full-fleet operations in September, generating more than 120TWh of clean electricity since Unit 1 began operating in 2021.
Construction began in July 2012, with Unit 4 completed in December 2023 and entering operation in September 2024. At its peak, the site was the world’s largest nuclear construction project, with four reactors built simultaneously.
The plant was delivered in partnership with Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), under the oversight of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, and in line with standards set out by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
Over 2,000 UAE nationals now work at Barakah, alongside international experts, establishing a skilled Emirati-led nuclear workforce.
Framatome produced the first lead fuel assemblies at its NRC-licensed facility in Washington state. More than 6,000 assemblies of this type have previously been supplied from this site.
Barakah 2
MEED recently reported that discussions for Barakah 2 (Reactors 5-8) may be delayed by around two years, with tariff considerations potentially a key part of the next phase.
In addition, it was previously reported that the state utility, Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec), does not foresee the installation of an additional 2.8GW of nuclear energy capacity until 2039.
Given the average 10-year procurement and construction period for nuclear power plants, this suggests talks will likely start sometime between 2027 and 2028.
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The request for qualifications (RFQs) was issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department (SRPD).
The bid submission deadline is 26 February.
The first scheme under the package is TF-16-C1, which involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal.
The second, TF-15-C2, will deliver stormwater links along Umm Suqeim Road to serve the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz communities.
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Modon tenders Ras El-Hekma construction contracts
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Abu Dhabi-based developer Modon Holding has tendered several contracts as part of the first phase of development at Ras El-Hekma, a planned new city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
MEED understands that the tenders were issued in January.
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DP3 assets: covering 146 residential villas, 590 three-bedroom townhouses, 356 four-bedroom townhouses, a mall and other associated works.
Bids due on 23 February.
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Modon has accelerated development works at Ras El-Hekma this year. In January, MEED reported that Modon Holding had awarded a E£15bn ($316m) contract for the construction of a project at Ras El-Hekma.
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In 2025, the terminal handled over 5.3 million tonnes of cargo and nearly 85,000 car equivalent units of Ro-Ro imports.
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The announcement followed AD Ports Group’s signing of a shareholders’ agreement in January 2024 between its digital arm, Maqta Gateway, and Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation regarding their existing joint-venture company, Maqta Ayla.
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Chinese firm wins Ceer automotive supplier park deal
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