The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has announced that the project at Barakah is progressing at a steady pace with the first of the four units currently undergoing commissioning and testing, prior to regulatory review and receipt of the Operating License from the FANR.

Announcing the project progress, the Emirati group said the overall construction work on the country's ambitious project has reached more than 87 per cent.

Enec had signed up Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) as the prime contractor for the Barakah nuclear energy plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi in 2016.

Following the completion of the first unit, work has moved into the fast-track with the Unit 2 more than 92 ready, Unit 3 over 81 per cent and Unit 4 more than 66 per cent, said a statement from the company.

Enec said it is working to deliver safe, clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy to the UAE - energy that is needed to support the country’s social and economic growth.

Once completed all the four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the UAE grid, and help save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing 3.2 million sedan cars from the roads, it added.