The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has completed Cold Hydrostatic Testing (CHT) at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Arab world?s first nuclear energy plant being built in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the UAE
The testing incorporated the lessons learned from the previous three units and is a crucial step towards the completion of Unit 4, the final unit of the Barakah plant.
As a part of CHT, the pressure inside Unit 4?s systems was increased to 25 per cent above what will be the normal operating pressure, demonstrating the quality and robust nature of the Unit?s construction. Prior to the commencement of CHT, Unit 4?s Nuclear Steam Supply Systems were flushed with demineralized water, and the Reactor Pressure Vessel Head and Reactor Coolant Pump Seals were installed. During the Cold Hydrostatic Testing, the welds, joints, pipes and components of the reactor coolant system and associated high-pressure systems were verified.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, said, ?These actions, alongside the efforts of our talented and dedicated workforce, have enabled the successful completion of CHT at Unit 4, which was completed in adherence to the highest standards of safety, quality, and security.?
?With this accomplishment, we move another step closer to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our nation?s electricity needs and powering its future growth with safe, reliable, and emissions-free electricity,? concluded Al Hammadi.
The testing at Unit 4 represents a significant achievement in the development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, following the successful completion of fuel assembly loading into Unit 1 in March 2020, confirming that the UAE has officially become a peaceful nuclear energy operating nation. Preparations are now in the final stages for the safe start-up of Unit 1 in the coming months.
ENEC is currently in the final stages of construction of units two, three and four of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The overall construction of the four units is more than 94 per cent complete. Unit 4 is more than 84 per cent, Unit 3 is more than 92 per cent and Unit 2 is more than 95 per cent. The four units at Barakah will generate up to 25 per cent of the UAE?s electricity demand by producing 5,600MW of clean baseload electricity, and preventing the release of 21mn tonnes of carbon emissions each year ? the equivalent of removing 3.2mn cars off the roads annually.
