United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| SSS Relevance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High |
| Market Type | State-controlled |
| Key Clean Resources | Nuclear (Barakah, 20%+), Solar |
| EAC System | I-REC |
| Grid Carbon Intensity | ~350-400 gCO2/kWh (improving) |
The UAE has rapidly expanded its clean energy capacity with the Barakah nuclear plant — the Arab world's first commercial nuclear power station. Solar is also growing, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
SSS Relevance
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High — UAE offers excellent SSS potential due to:
- Operating nuclear (Barakah, 4 units, 5.6 GW) — now providing 20%+ of generation
- No hydro (desert climate)
- Growing solar — but mostly tracked via I-REC
- Clear nuclear in default supply — Barakah serves base load
SSS-Eligible Resources
| Resource Type | Capacity/Output | SSS Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear (Barakah) | 5.6 GW (4 APR-1400 units), 20%+ of generation | ✅ Clearly SSS — default delivered baseload |
| Hydro | 0 MW | ❌ Not available |
Operating Nuclear Plant:
- Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant (4 units, 5.6 GW total)
- Unit 1: Commercial operation 2021
- Unit 2: Commercial operation 2022
- Unit 3: Commercial operation 2023
- Unit 4: Commercial operation 2024
Market Structure
Regulator: Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), local authorities
Model: State-controlled with vertical integration. Three main utility regions:
- Abu Dhabi: EWEC (procurement), ADWEC (distribution)
- Dubai: DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority)
- Northern Emirates: FEWA
Nuclear Operator: ENEC (Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation)
Clean Energy Policy
| Policy | Status |
|---|---|
| Net Zero Target | 2050 |
| Clean Energy Target | 50% clean energy by 2050 |
| Nuclear | Strongly supportive — Barakah operational |
| Solar | Major investments (Noor Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park) |
EAC Infrastructure
Primary System: I-REC
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| I-REC Issuer | Various |
| Scope | Renewables |
Important for SSS: Barakah nuclear does not issue I-RECs. Nuclear generation flows to EWEC/DEWA customers as default supply, clearly SSS-eligible.
Emissions Factors
| Source | Value | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Grid Average | ~350-400 gCO2/kWh (improving with Barakah) | Location-based Scope 2 |
Data Sources
References
- World Nuclear Association, "Nuclear Power in UAE"
- ENEC, "Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant"