Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2022-10-01

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant Milestone Accelerates UAE Net Zero 2050 Goals

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) recently announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), has successfully started up Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi.
 
The milestone shows the progress being made in bringing the four units of the Barakah Plant, the first multi-unit operational nuclear plant in the Arab World, online and accelerating the decarbonisation of the UAE’s power sector on the way to Net Zero by 2050. The start-up of Unit 3 has been achieved one year after the start-up of Unit 2, with the next key milestone being the connection of Unit 3 to the national electricity grid in the coming weeks.
 
Unit 3, once commercially operational, will add another 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity capacity to the national grid, a significant boost for UAE energy security and a major step forward in tackling climate change. The clean electricity generated at Barakah is sustainably powering homes, businesses and high-tech industries across the UAE.
 
His Excellency Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: “We have reached another major milestone in the delivery of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme, as we move forwards with the provision of strategically significant clean energy for the UAE. The Barakah Plant is spearheading the decarbonisation of the power sector, sustainably generating abundant electricity to meet growing demand and power growth.”
 
Nawah, the joint venture nuclear operations and maintenance subsidiary of ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have been safely progressing through a comprehensive testing programme prior to successfully completing the start-up of the third nuclear energy reactor of the Barakah Plant. Testing has been undertaken under the continued oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). It follows the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) completion of a Pre-Start-Up Review (PSUR) prior to receipt of the Operating License, which ensures Unit 3 is aligned with international best practices in the nuclear energy industry.
 
Start-up is the first time Unit 3 has produced heat through nuclear fission. The heat is used to create steam, turning a turbine to generate electricity. Making use of the experience gained in the start-up of Units 1 and 2, the qualified and licensed team of nuclear operators conducted several safety tests after safely loading fuel into the reactor earlier this year.
 
In the coming weeks, Unit 3 will be connected to the national electricity grid, and the operations team will continue with the process of gradually raising power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT). The process will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is reached while adhering to all regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality and security.
 
Both Units 1 and 2 of the Barakah Plant are operating commercially, providing an abundant source of clean and reliable electricity 24/7, while Unit 4 is in the final stages of commissioning prior to the completion of construction. The Barakah Plant is a catalyst for innovation in the clean energy transition and a bridge to other clean fuels like hydrogen.
 
IAEA Praises Barakah Nuclear Power Plant’s Operational Safety
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently concluded a mission to the UAE, which lasted for five days and focused on operational safety developments at the Unit 1 Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), situated in the country’s western region. 
 
The mission, performed by the IAEA’s Operational Safety Review Team (OSART), comes as a follow-up to a previous visit in 2017, seeking to observe the progress that has been achieved since then. The international expert team noted significant improvements in the facility’s infrastructure, including areas such as the management in-field programme and operating experience programme and the establishment of an accident management programme.
 
“The UAE is proud to showcase its arrangements for ensuring the safety of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. Our cooperation with the IAEA and their continued support has been invaluable in the construction and operation of the first nuclear power plant in the region,” said Christer Viktorsson, Director General of FANR. 
 
The mission also assessed arrangements in the areas of leadership and management, training and qualification of staff, radiation protection, and emergency preparedness, in addition to other aspects relating to the facility’s safety.

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