The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is gearing up to issue a tender for the construction of a second nuclear power plant, making significant strides in its nuclear energy program. This move comes after the successful operation of the Barakah facility in Abu Dhabi in 2021, which marked the UAE as the first Arab state to operate a nuclear power plant.
According to a report by Reuters, the government is expected to seek bids for the construction of four new reactors, with the tender likely to be floated in 2024 to 2025. The goal is to have the new plant operational by 2032 to meet the country’s projected energy requirements.
The upcoming tender will be open to international bidders, including companies from the US, China, and Russia. While South Korea was responsible for building the Barakah plant, sources have indicated that South Korean firms will not receive preferential treatment in the bidding process.
The selection of Russian or Chinese firms as potential bidders could potentially raise geopolitical tensions, particularly with the US, which has been working to isolate Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine and has concerns about the Gulf states’ growing relationship with China.
The UAE’s nuclear program began in 2009 with a cooperation agreement with the US, emphasizing its peaceful nature and focus on reducing oil dependency. The country is part of a global initiative to triple nuclear energy output by 2054, following its commitment at COP28, the United Nations’ December 2023 climate conference.
In the Middle East, Egypt is also constructing its first nuclear plant with Russian assistance, and Saudi Arabia is exploring a civilian nuclear program. The Barakah plant is expected to supply one-quarter of the UAE’s electricity once its fourth reactor begins commercial operations in 2024.
Potential locations for the new nuclear facility include a coastal site near the Saudi border or an area close to the existing Barakah plant. Additionally, the UAE is considering investments in nuclear infrastructure in Europe, including potential minority stakes in atomic power assets in Britain.
The UAE government media office has not provided any comments on the matter, indicating that further details and developments regarding the tender for the second nuclear power plant are yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates on this significant development in the UAE’s energy sector.