Nawah Energy Company, operator of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, has completed the comprehensive operational readiness review to generate an updated schedule for the start-up of the first peaceful nuclear energy reactor among the Arab nations
With construction of Unit 1 recently completed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and its joint venture partner Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the results of Nawah?s review forecast that the loading of nuclear fuel assemblies required to commence nuclear operations at Barakah Unit 1 will occur between the end of 2019 and early 2020.
The schedule review was carried out in strict accordance with the principles of a healthy nuclear safety culture, which requires conservative decision-making to support nuclear safety.
Consequently, the resulting projection for the start-up of Unit 1 operations reflects the time required for the plant?s nuclear operators to complete operational readiness activities and to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, all of which are all designed to ensure safe, sustainable nuclear operations after start-up.
The review, which was led by Nawah?s team of nuclear experts, as well as the participation of ENEC, and international nuclear experts, reflects a conservative approach intended to ensure that the highest standards of nuclear quality, safety and security are, firmly established as the foundation for future nuclear operations in the UAE.
Only after all preparations for nuclear operations are successfully completed and Nawah has received an operating licence for Unit 1 from FANR, will operators begin to load nuclear fuel assemblies and initiate operations.
?Nawah?s commitment to meet the highest standards of quality and safety is the main driver for all our work,? said Mark Reddemann, CEO of Nawah. ?As a result, our review relied on global nuclear standards to analyse the remaining work required for nuclear operations, and we are confident that this new projection for fuel load gives Nawah a nuclear-centric and conservative schedule to deliver nuclear operations in alignment with the highest standards of safety and quality.?
Reddemann added, ?Unit 1 is the pioneering nuclear energy reactor in the UAE and will set the benchmark for the three remaining Units of the Barakah Plant and, possibly, for other nuclear energy projects in the Arab world. By achieving high standards in Unit 1, Nawah is setting a robust precedent for the subsequent operation of Units 2, 3 and 4, as well as for the regional industry.?
