Work on second reactor starts

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has hosted Sang-jick Yoon, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea at Barakah in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate to celebrate the successful partnership between the two countries and the start of construction of the UAE’s second nuclear energy plant.

Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of ENEC commended the commitment demonstrated by the Korean Government in the development of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme, thanking the Korean minister for his Government’s continued support to set up a world-class nuclear energy programme in the UAE.

The event was attended by the UAE Minister of State and CEO of Masdar, Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Mohammad Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the ENEC and senior representatives from the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) and ENEC’s prime contractor.

After receiving the approved construction licence from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), ENEC poured the first safety concrete for Unit 2, marking the official start of construction of the UAE’s second nuclear energy plant. Construction of the Unit 2 plant will take five years, with the plant scheduled to enter commercial operation by 2018, pending further regulatory approvals.

ENEC will apply for an operating licence for Units 1 and 2 in 2015, and recently submitted the construction licence application for Units 3 and 4 to FANR in March 2013.

Mohammad Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the ENEC said:  "We are drawing on the skills and expertise of a world-class nuclear corporation through our prime contractor Kepco," said Al Hammadi, noting that Kepco is meeting our goal of delivering the gold standard of peaceful nuclear energy development and we are very proud of the progress we are making with our partners."

He added, "We are committed to delivering a world-class programme from construction through to operations, and I would like to congratulate our entire team and Kepco for their dedication to carrying out their work with safety and quality top of mind at all times."

Enec officially commenced the construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant last year by pouring the first nuclear safety concrete for Barakah Unit 1.

Enec is constructing a total of four nuclear energy plants in Barakah. In July 2012, ENEC received its construction licence from the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and a No Objection Certificate from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi for the construction of the first two plants.

The first plant is expected to commence operations in 2017, pending further regulatory approvals. As well as diversifying the nation’s energy supply, with four plants online by 2020, nuclear energy will save the UAE up to 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.