Abu Dhabi (AFP)
The United Arab Emirates has given the green light to the start-up of its nuclear power plant at Barakah, the first in the Arab world, the permanent representative of this oil-producing Gulf country announced on Monday to the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA).
"The Federal Nuclear Regulatory Authority (FANR) has approved the license to operate the plant's reactor 1 at the Nawah company," Hamad Alkaabi said at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, adding that it will start up in the "near future".
Nawah Energy Company, founded in 2016, will eventually operate and maintain the four reactors at the Barakah power plant in the northwest of the country, according to the company's website.
The plant was built by a consortium led by Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and the Korean Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), at an estimated cost of $ 24.4 billion (22.5 billion euros).
The first of the four reactors was to be commissioned at the end of 2017, but the start date has been postponed several times to meet legal safety conditions.
"This is a historic moment for the United Arab Emirates (...) thus crowning the 12-year effort to build (...) this peaceful nuclear program to meet the country's future energy needs", s congratulated Mr. Alkaabi.
"After issuing the operating license for the first reactor, the operator Nawah will launch its commissioning to prepare for its entry into commercial operation," said Alkaabi.
"The Emirates remain committed to the highest standards of nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation as well as solid and continuous cooperation with the IAEA and national and international partners," said the diplomat.
When fully operational, the four reactors will have the capacity to produce 5,600 megawatts of electricity, about 25% of the needs of the United Arab Emirates, an oil-rich country.
© 2020 AFP