Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) is the regulatory body for the nuclear sector in the UAE. One of its main responsibilities is to develop a nuclear regulatory framework for the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants in the UAE, which is in line with the safety standards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) and other internationally recognised regulatory practices.

FANR provides licensing services to customers using radioactive sources. It also issues import and export permits for radiation sources and nuclear materials.

Related links from FANR:

• Regulations and guides
• Be part of our mission- Report to Protect (R2P)- A system for whistleblowing concerns
• Nuclear science and technology
• Report community concerns (nuclear or radiation concerns).

The UAE government envisions to use nuclear power as the main source for generating non-hydrocarbon based electricity. The UAE instituted a comprehensive civil nuclear energy programme under the direct supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In 2008, the UAE published its policy on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The policy is built on the most exacting standards of safety, transparency and security, making the UAE, a role model for nuclear energy development worldwide.

To meet the ambitious milestones set by the UAE's nuclear energy policy, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) was established in 2009. 

Since 2012, the UAE has reached agreements with at least three countries (Argentina, Japan and Russia) on cooperation in the nuclear power sector.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world. It is located in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, approximately 53 km west-southwest of the city of Ruwais.
All four APR1400 reactor units at Barakah are now fully operational: Unit 1 began commercial operations in April 2021, Unit 2 in March 2022, Unit 3 in February 2023, and Unit 4 in September 2024. Together, the four units have a combined capacity of 5.6 GW and supply approximately 25 per cent of the UAE's electricity needs, making Barakah the single largest source of clean electricity in the UAE and the Arab world.
The plant prevents the release of approximately 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year — equivalent to removing more than 4 million cars from the UAE's roads annually — and accounts for around 24 per cent of the UAE's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) towards its climate change mitigation targets.
In July 2025, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) signed an agreement with Framatome to supply nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah plant, broadening and diversifying its long-term fuel supply chain.

Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

On 17 February 2020, FANR issued the operating license for Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to the Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) subsidiary responsible for operation of the nuclear power plant located in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

On 1 August 2020,  Nawah Energy Company ‘Nawah’, successfully started Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy plant.

On 19 August 2020, Nawah completed connecting the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE grid, producing the plant's first megawatt of clean electricity.

Unit 2 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

On 9 March 2021, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 2 of the plant.

Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

On 17 June 2022, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 3 of the plant. Unit 3 entered commercial operation in February 2023.

Unit 4 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

Unit 4 received its operating licence from FANR and entered commercial operation in September 2024, completing the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant with all four reactor units now in commercial service.

Read more about Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

Source: Ministry if Energy and Infrastructure.