UAE Nuclear Operator Starts Pouring Concrete for the First Two Reactors

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) officially started the construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant on 18 July, pouring the first batch of nuclear safety concrete for the Barakah Unit 1, once the licence was granted.

 
 
This significant milestone for the UAE’s peaceful civil nuclear energy program follows the receipt of the Construction License from the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR) on 17 July, and a 'No Objection Certificate' from Abu Dhabi’s environmental regulator, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) on 15 July 2012.
 
The safety concrete was poured at Barakah on Wednesday, an event which included the presence of ENEC’s senior management and site team, as well as ENEC’s Prime Contractor, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).
 
The next phase of construction will include the continued pouring of concrete for the reactor containment building, auxiliary building, turbine building and cooling water structures.
Construction of Barakah Unit 1 will take five years, with the plant expected to become operational in 2017, subject to further regulatory review.
 
ENEC will apply for an Operating License for Unit 1 in 2015 and will pour concrete for Unit 2 in 2013. ENEC is building a total of four Units at the Barakah site. The first unit will be operational in 2017, with one additional unit becoming operational each year up to 2020.