Name and Location
Barakah nuclear energy plant, UAE.
Client
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).
Project Description
The project involves the construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant, comprising four APR1400 nuclear reactors.
The four reactors will provide about 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, preventing up to 12-million tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions each year.
Value
The project is valued at $20-billion.
Duration
The first plant is expected to start operating in 2017. Plans are for the following three units to be completed in 2018, 2019 and 2020. These dates are subject to regulatory approval from the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
Latest Developments
The ENEC confirmed in mid-September that Unit 1 of the four reactors being developed in the UAE’s nuclear energy programme was more than 57% complete.
Construction of Unit 2 is also well under way.
Meanwhile, the ENEC has achieved yet another milestone in the development and complex construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant by pouring the safety concrete for the reactor containment building for Unit 3. This significant milestone follows the receipt of the construction licence from the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation.
This is the first safety concrete to be poured at Unit 3 and is the first stage in building the third reactor for the UAE’s nuclear programme.
The safety concrete forms part of the lower basement structure of the reactor containment building. Concrete placements will be a regular and ongoing process after the first placement has been completed.
Construction will continue, with concrete being poured in height- increasing stages until the reactor containment building wall is installed. Construction of the reactor containment building will be completed over the next three years, with Unit 3 on track to enter commercial operations by 2019.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Korean Electric Power Corporation (design, build and operate four 1 400 MW nuclear power plants).
On Budget and on Time?
The ENEC continues to deliver the different stages of the UAE’s first nuclear power plant on time and within budget.
Contact Details for Project Information
ENEC, tel +971 2 659 5555 or fax +971 2 659 5666.