Does your phone say 'Barakah'? Here's why...
The change occurred on April 7 in the morning…
If you were on your phone this morning, you may have noticed a change to your network to ‘Barakah’. If you’re wondering why – it is to mark the start of operations of Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant which commenced on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
It is a milestone moment for the United Arab Emirates as it is the first Arab country to operate a nuclear energy plant.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces applauded the achievement and described it as a ‘significant milestone in the UAE’s long-term roadmap for sustainable, knowledge-based economic prosperity, benefiting many generations to come.’
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi stated that the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Program will be a game-changer of the energy sector in the country. The program is run by a fully qualified team of Emirati and global expertise.
The start of commercial operations at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is a historic milestone for the UAE that significantly enhances the sustainability of our entire power sector. We are grateful to those who made this possible and thank them for their diligence and hard work.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 6, 2021
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He added that the UAE Program has become a global and pioneering role model in close international cooperation in such strategic projects. He tweeted out thanks to all those who made it all possible.
According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), 1400 MW Unit 1 is now providing constant, reliable, and sustainable electricity around the clock, with three further units to begin generating in the coming years.
Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation stated that Barakah is a result of more than a decade of strategic planning, program development and construction. The plant uses proven technology for significantly reducing carbon emissions to tackle climate change, one of the biggest challenges the world has ever faced.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is one of the largest nuclear energy plants in the world. Construction on the plant began in 2012 and has progressed steadily ever since.
Unit 2 start-up is scheduled for later this year and construction on Unit 3 and 4 is in its final stages benefitting from the experience and lessons learned during the construction of Units 1 and 2. The construction of the Barakah Plant as a whole is now more than 95 per cent complete.
Images: Emirates News Agency