"Federal Nuclear Regulatory Authority" issues a license to operate the third unit of "Barakah" plant

Abu Dhabi - Emirates today

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the regulatory body responsible for regulating the nuclear sector in the United Arab Emirates, announced today the issuance of a license to operate the third unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant for Nawah Energy Company, a subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, which in turn is responsible for operating the plant located in the region Al Dhafra in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Under the license, Nawah Energy will be authorized to operate the third unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant for the next 60 years.

The issuance of the operating license comes as a culmination of the efforts made by the authority since it received the application for a license from Nawah Company for the third and fourth units in 2017. The authority conducted a systematic review process for the request to issue the operating license for the third unit following the issuance of the operating licenses for the first and second units, which included a comprehensive evaluation of the attached documents. With demand, the application of strict control measures, in addition to conducting thorough inspections of the plant.

The evaluation process included a review of the nuclear plant's design, and a geographical and demographic analysis of its location.

The evaluation process also included a review of the nuclear reactor's design, cooling and safety systems, security measures, emergency preparedness procedures, radioactive waste management, and other technical aspects.

The authority also reviewed the readiness of Nawat Company, as the company responsible for operating in terms of institutional and manpower, and to ensure that all necessary procedures and measures are in place to ensure safety and security standards at the nuclear power plant.   

The authority reviewed the 14,000-page license application for the third and fourth units, and conducted more than 120 inspections and requested additional information for the third unit on various topics, including reactor design, safety and security factors, and others to ensure compliance with all regulatory standards. 

On this occasion, the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, His Excellency Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, said: “Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey, being the first Arab country to operate a nuclear power plant, and it is a culmination of efforts This achievement was achieved thanks to the vision of the UAE and its leadership to build a peaceful nuclear energy program to meet the country’s energy needs in the future.”

He added: "The UAE's nuclear energy program, including the nuclear law and regulatory regulations, is in line with the safety standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency and in line with international best practices, as the authority has been keen to ensure that they are fully adhered to during the construction process of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The issuance of the license today is the culmination of the process of cooperation and intensive work between the various concerned parties at the national and international levels, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Republic of Korea and other international regulatory bodies.”

After the issuance of the operating license for the third unit, Nawah Energy Company will begin the period of preparations for commercial operation, during which FANR will conduct round-the-clock inspections, relying on its inspectors residing at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, and dispatching other inspectors to ensure that fuel loading and tests are completed in accordance with the requirements. oversight. 

FANR Director General Christer Viktorsen said, “FANR has played a vital role in supervising the construction and development of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant since 2009, especially after we received an application for a license to operate Units 3 and 4 in 2017. We have conducted extensive reviews and inspections to ensure compliance with The station meets all regulatory requirements, and operates it according to the highest levels of safety. The authority has also completed its preparations to start the operation phase of the third unit, which includes taking the necessary steps to implement control measures and conduct the necessary inspections to ensure that the station operates in accordance with safety standards.”

In order to ensure compliance with the highest international safety and safety standards in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation, the UAE has received 11 comprehensive assessment missions from the International Atomic Energy Agency over the past decade to review and evaluate various aspects of nuclear infrastructure, the legal and regulatory framework, nuclear safety and security standards and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. and the level of state preparedness for emergencies.

The public can view these reports issued by those international missions.

It is noteworthy that the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation issued in February 2020 and March 2021 the operating licenses for the first unit and the second unit, respectively, of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, and continued its supervisory tasks until the two plants reached the stage of full commercial operation. 

Transparency is also one of the most prominent principles of the nuclear policy that the UAE government has committed itself to by adhering to international treaties and agreements such as the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement signed by the country with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Safety Agreement and others.

Such commitments ensure that the program is designed for peaceful purposes, with a transparent approach consistent with national and international laws.

It should be noted that the UAE is building four units at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, and the completion rate of the project has reached 97% as follows. The first station: commercially operating, the second station: commercially operating, the third station is in the ready-to-operate stage, and the fourth station 92 %.

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