Barakah nuclear power plant, United Arab Emirates – update

24th June 2022

By: Sheila Barradas

Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

     

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Name of the Project
Barakah nuclear power plant (NPP).

Location
The western region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Project Owner/s
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 APR1400 is a pressurised water reactor and every unit produces up to 1 400 MW of electricity. The reactors have an operational life span of 60 years.

When fully operational, the four units of the plant will produce 5.6 GW of electricity while preventing the release of more than 21-million tons of carbon emissions every year.

Potential Job Creation
ENEC’s workforce of more than 1 700 employees will increase to about 2 500 to operate and maintain the plant.

Capital Expenditure
The project is valued at about $20-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction began on Unit 1 in July 2012, with grid connection achieved in August 2020 and full power in December 2020. In April 2021, Barakah Unit 1 was declared commercially operational.

Construction on Unit 2 started in May 2013 and was completed in July 2020; commercial operations started in March 2022.

Construction of Unit 3 started in September 2014 and Unit 4 in September 2015.

Latest Developments
The ENEC announced on June 20, 2022, that its operating and maintenance subsidiary Nawah Energy Company had received the operating licence from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) for Unit 3 of the Barakah NPP, and the process of loading fuel assemblies into the reactor has begun in line with all national regulations and the highest international standards.

Receipt of the Unit 3 operating licence confirms that the plant, employees, programmes, policies and procedures meet FANR’s robust standards, after conducting 120 unit-specific reviews and inspections.

In addition, the reviews conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) have been successfully completed. Prior to FANR’s awarding the licence , WANO completed a prestartup review, confirming the unit’s readiness for operation.

With the completion of the fuel load process, the operations team will proceed with preparations for startup of the unit later this year, followed by the delivery of the first megawatts of clean and reliable electricity.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Korean Electric Power Corporation (design, build and operate four 1 400 MW nuclear power plants).

Contact Details for Project Information
ENEC, tel +971 2 659 5555 or email info@enec.gov.ae.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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