Dubai, Aug 1 (AP) A nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates successfully started up its first reactor, authorities said Saturday.

The Barakah nuclear power plant in the Emirates' far western desert near the border with Saudi Arabia reached what scientists called its “first criticality” on Friday. That's when the nuclear chain reaction within the reactor is self-sustaining.

Also Read | Smart India Hackathon 2020 Grand Finale | PM Modi Says, 'Awareness About Women's Hygiene Has Come Really Late in India': Live News Breaking And Coronavirus Updates on August 1, 2020.

The nuclear reactor ultimately will generate electricity and be connected to the country's power grid.

The USD 20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the Emirates with the help of South Korea. It's the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula.

Also Read | Donald Trump Admin Signs Deal for 100 Million Doses of Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine From Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline at $2.1 Billion.

The U.S. has praised the Emirates' nuclear program for agreeing never to acquire enrichment or reprocessing capabilities, which prevents it from being able to make weapons-grade uranium.

The U.S. says that's a model agreement for other countries seeking nuclear power while also encouraging the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)