Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)

This award recognises ENEC for delivering the largest single contribution to the UAE’s power‑sector decarbonisation. In 2025, its Barakah plant completed its first full year of all four units operating, generating around 40 terawatt‑hours of clean electricity annually – meeting roughly one‑quarter of the nation’s demand, cutting Abu Dhabi’s power‑sector gas use to its lowest level in 13 years, and saving over $9 billion in LNG costs. Since Unit 1 started, Barakah has prevented more than 58 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions, and the plant now avoids 22.4 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, equivalent to removing 4.6 to 12 million cars from the roads depending on the comparison period.

Beyond the output, ENEC proved that nuclear baseload is a verifiable decarbonisation asset, with 85 % of Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates backed by Barakah. In 2025, ENEC enabled Emirates Steel (EMSTEEL) to become the first regional steelmaker to use nuclear‑sourced certificates, sourcing 1.48 million MWh of nuclear power to lower its Scope 2 emissions, and partnered with EGA to deliver the UAE’s first low‑carbon aluminium produced with carbon‑free nuclear electricity under the MinimAL brand, while also signing a fuel supply agreement with Framatome to secure long‑term operational security and diversify nuclear fuel sources. By providing proven, traceable clean power to heavy industry and anchoring the national grid, ENEC has turned nuclear energy into a tangible instrument of industrial decarbonisation. For delivering traceable, carbon-free power to heavy industry and anchoring a national grid in clean energy, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation receives this recognition.

Score: 91

Reference: https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4617919/barakah-nuclear-energy-plant-drives-uae-s-clean-energy-progr