The nuclear power plant of Barakah, the first in the Arab world, has received the green light for its operation, announced the United Arab Emirates, this Monday, without specifying the date of its commissioning, already long delayed.
"The Federal Nuclear Regulatory Authority (FANR) has approved the issuance of the operating license for reactor 1 of the plant to the Nawah company," said the Emirates' permanent representative to the International Energy Agency. Atomic Energy (IAEA), Hamad Alkaabi, at a press conference in Abu Dhabi. It will start up in the "near future", he added.
Almost two years behind schedule for safety standards
Founded in 2016, Nawah Energy Company will eventually operate and maintain the four reactors at the Barakah power plant in the northwest of the country. "This is a new step in our march towards the development of peaceful nuclear energy," said Mohammed ben Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Twitter. "Our efforts continue to prepare for the next 50 years and meet the country's energy needs," added the strong man from the United Arab Emirates. The facility 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, according to officials, the legal safety conditions. "This is a historic moment for the United Arab Emirates (…) which crowns the efforts of 12 years of construction", also welcomed Hamad Alkaabi during the press conference. "After the granting of the operating license for the first reactor, the operator Nawah will launch its commissioning to prepare for its entry into commercial operation," he said.
A production of 25% of the country's needs
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. The federal state, made up of seven emirates, has a population of 9.3 million, of which around 80% are expatriates. The need for electricity is increasing, due in particular to the systematic use of air conditioning during scorching summers. ENEC, a public company, announced in December that the loading of nuclear fuel into the reactor is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2020.
Emirati officials insist on the "peaceful" nature of their nuclear program and assure that it contains no military component, in a context of increased regional tensions. "The Emirates remain committed to the highest standards of nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation as well as solid and ongoing cooperation with the IAEA and national and international partners," said Hamad Alkaabi. The country has hosted more than 40 international missions and inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) since 2010.
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