Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Baraka nuclear energy plant in Al Dhafra start-up has been rescheduled to the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020.

The AED 89.62 billion ($24.4 billion) power plant has undergone a “comprehensive operational readiness review”, the operator Nawah Energy Company revealed, according to Reuters.

“The results of Nawah’s review forecast that the loading of nuclear fuel assemblies required to commence nuclear operations at Barakah Unit 1 will occur between the end of 2019 and early 2020,” the international news agency reported, citing the UAE-based company as saying.

The UAE will be the first country in the Arab world to run a nuclear power plant.