The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is deliberating the launch of a tender by the end of the current year for the construction of its second nuclear power plant, as disclosed by UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, Hamad Al Kaabi, according to Reuters.
While the final decision is pending, major international players including Russia, China, and the USA are anticipated to participate in the bidding process. The estimated cost of this ambitious project could reach “tens of billions of dollars.”
Al Kaabi indicated that the prospective nuclear facility could potentially feature between two to four reactors. This initiative comes as the UAE’s first and current nuclear power plant, Barakah, nears full operational capacity, with the final reactor expected to commence commercial operations by the end of the year. The UAE government is exploring options to enhance its energy infrastructure in anticipation of significant growth in electricity demand over the next decade, driven by population growth and industrial expansion.
Furthermore, the UAE has opted to procure nuclear fuel from international markets rather than engage in uranium enrichment. The country’s first nuclear power plant, Barakah, located in Abu Dhabi, commenced operations in 2020 and aims to supply approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs through its 5.6 gigawatt capacity once fully operational.