10.31 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

UAE approves nuclear power plant construction

Published
By Wam

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has granted the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) a licence to construct two nuclear power reactor units at its proposed Barakah site in the western region of Abu Dhabi.

At a press conference held at Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that the licence for the construction of Units 1 and 2 of the Barakah nuclear facility and related regulated activities was approved by the FANR management board chaired by Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei at its meeting on Tuesday July 17.


The licence authorises ENEC to construct two Korean-designed advanced pressurised water reactors of the type known as the APR1400, each capable of producing 1,400 megawatts of electricity. It does not allow ENEC to operate them. ENEC must apply to FANR for a separate operating licence.

Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei added that "the issuance of a construction licence is a significant milestone in the UAE's nuclear energy programme."