Nuclear fission began in one of 4 reactors at the Barakah plant, which uses South Korean technology.
The plant was scheduled to open in 2017, but started late due to what officials described as protection requirements.
The oil-rich United Arab Emirates wants Barakah to meet a quarter of its energy desires because it adopts more sustainable energy sources.
Just two weeks ago, the United Arab Emirates sent research on a project to Mars, the first high-level scientist for the Gulf Nation.
The United Arab Emirates is also making a strong investment in solar energy, an abundant source of energy in the Gulf. Some energy experts question Barakah’s logic, saying that solar energy is cleaner, less expensive, and makes more sense in a region plagued by political tensions and terrorism.
Last year, Qatar called the Barakah plant a “flagrant risk to regional peace and the environment.” Qatar is a bitter regional rival of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
On the other side of the Gulf is Iran, hostile to the United Arab Emirates and subject to U.S. sanctions for its questionable nuclear program.
Dr. Paul Dorfman, head of the foreign nuclear advisory group, wrote last year that “the tense geopolitical environment in the Gulf makes nuclear energy a more debatable factor in the gulf than anywhere else, because the new nuclear force gives the ability to expand and manufacture nuclear weapons.” Training
The London-based scientist also highlighted the presence of radioactive pollutants in the Gulf.
In a statement, the plant’s developer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), said it committed to “the highest protection and safety criteria” and that the plant would play a vital role in diversifying and decarbonizing the economy.
“The Barakah power plant will supply critical grid-specific electrical power, as well as intermittent renewal force resources such as sun and wind, which should not continuously produce electricity,” he said.
“It will supply up to 25% of the U.S.’ electricity cravings once it is fully operational and help save the release of 21 million tons of carbon emissions, which equates to withdrawing 3.2 million cars in a year.”
UAE leaders on Saturday praised the launch as a clinical breakthrough in the country.
The Barakah plant evolved through ENEC and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Power will be produced through 1,400 megawatt pressure water reactors, designed in South Korea, called APR-1400.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the main control agency of the nuclear industry, praised Barakah in a tweet, that unit 1 of the plant had “reached its first criticism”, i.e. the generation of a controlled chain in-fact reaction.
“This is a step towards advertising operations and blank force production. The IAEA has supported [the United Arab Emirates] since the beginning of its nuclear force program.”
Abu Dhabi leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan tweeted his congratulations “marking this milestone in the roadmap for sustainable development.”
CORRECTION, August 2, 2020: This edition has been updated to upload an ENEC statement