Nuclear power in the GCC in 2026 is led by the UAE’s Barakah plant, whose four reactors have a combined capacity of 5,600 MW and now supply about 25% of the country’s electricity — roughly 40 terawatt-hours a year of carbon-free power. Saudi Arabia is the next mover, signing a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States in July 2026 as it plans its own reactors.
What is the Barakah nuclear plant?
Barakah, in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, is the Arab world’s first multi-unit nuclear power station. Built by a Korean-led consortium and operated by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), it has four APR-1400 reactors with a total nameplate capacity of 5,600 MW. The units came online in stages: reactor one in 2021, two in 2022, three in 2023 and the fourth and final reactor reaching commercial operation in 2024.
The plant was delivered by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which brought proven APR-1400 reactor technology, and it created thousands of skilled jobs while training a new generation of Emirati nuclear engineers and operators. That local workforce and know-how are as strategically valuable to the UAE as the electricity itself.
How much of the UAE’s electricity does Barakah provide?
Now fully operational, Barakah generates about 40 TWh of electricity a year and supplies roughly a quarter — about 25% — of the UAE’s power. It is the single largest source of clean electricity in the country and a cornerstone of the UAE’s net-zero-by-2050 target, working alongside the solar and gas capacity described in our guide to the UAE energy mix in 2026.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reactors | 4 (APR-1400) |
| Total capacity | 5,600 MW |
| Annual output | ~40 TWh |
| Share of UAE electricity | ~25% |
| Fully operational | 2024 |
What are Saudi Arabia’s nuclear plans?
Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power as part of its own diversification but has moved more slowly, partly because of debate over uranium enrichment. In July 2026 Riyadh and Washington signed a civil nuclear cooperation (“123”) agreement alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement — a major step toward building reactors. The kingdom has also signalled it intends to use its domestic uranium resources across the fuel cycle, including producing yellowcake and low-enriched uranium, a plan that draws close international scrutiny.
How safe is Gulf nuclear power?
The UAE has built its programme around international oversight. Barakah has undergone more than 42 evaluations and peer reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), and the UAE stresses transparent cooperation with the IAEA, including regular technical exchanges. This “gold standard” approach — originally forgoing domestic enrichment — is often cited as a model for nuclear newcomers. Barakah was even reported to have been targeted by a drone in May 2026 without damage, and its multi-layer containment and international safeguards are designed precisely to withstand such threats. The contrast with Saudi Arabia’s stated intention to enrich uranium at home is a key reason the kingdom’s programme attracts closer scrutiny than the UAE’s.
Are other Gulf states going nuclear?
Interest is spreading beyond Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Several GCC governments have studied nuclear and, increasingly, small modular reactors (SMRs) — compact factory-built units that are cheaper and quicker to deploy than a giant plant like Barakah, and can be sited closer to demand or paired with desalination. The appeal is obvious for Gulf states that need round-the-clock power and vast amounts of desalinated water but want to cut carbon and preserve oil and gas for export. Nuclear also complements renewables: solar output collapses at night and in dust storms, whereas a reactor runs continuously, providing the stable “baseload” that keeps grids reliable as air-conditioning and industry demand climbs. That combination — steady nuclear underneath, cheap solar on top — is emerging as the template for the region’s long-term electricity mix.
Why does nuclear fit Gulf diversification?
Nuclear gives the Gulf large volumes of steady, low-carbon electricity that solar cannot supply at night, freeing more oil and gas for export and revenue. It supports energy security, industrial growth and climate targets at once, which is why it sits alongside renewables in the region’s wider GCC clean energy investment for 2026.
FAQ
How many reactors does Barakah have?
Four APR-1400 reactors, with a combined capacity of 5,600 MW, all in commercial operation since 2024.
Does Saudi Arabia have a nuclear plant?
Not yet operating at scale, but in July 2026 it signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States and is planning its first reactors.
Is Gulf nuclear power monitored internationally?
Yes. Barakah has had more than 42 IAEA and WANO reviews, and the UAE cooperates closely with the IAEA on safeguards and transparency.
Bottom line: The UAE’s Barakah plant has already made nuclear a quarter of the country’s power, and with Saudi Arabia’s 2026 US nuclear deal the Gulf’s atomic future is expanding — positioning nuclear as a central pillar of clean, secure energy beyond oil.
Primary sources: Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), which builds and operates the Barakah plant, and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
