The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has completed major work and testing necessary for commercial operations at Unit 1 of the Barakah nuclear energy plant in the UAE.

A milestone in the continued progress from construction to commissioning of the plant, the Cold Hydrostatic Testing (CHT) verified that welds, joints, pipes and components of the reactor coolant system and associated high-pressure systems meet quality standards, as per the regulations of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).

During the testing, previously processed water filled the primary circuit and was circulated by the reactor coolant pumps. These pumps will help to maintain a safe temperature inside the reactor during operations.

This testing follows the completion of a number of significant milestones in the safety-led and quality-driven environment focused on the development of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant. This includes the energisation of the switchyard for Units 1 and 2, which connected the plant to the transmission grid and allowed for the completion of CHT at Unit 1 and the substantial completion of the auxiliary building at Unit 1.

“I would like to congratulate Enec on its achievements in the safety-led development of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme and its contributions to the Western Region,” said Matar Al Neyadi, undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy.

“Enec’s achievements continue to support the UAE’s energy mix strategy as well as the future social and economic growth of the UAE.”

“I am proud of the progress being made at Barakah as we continue work to achieve our strategic goals to guarantee project delivery, ensure operational readiness, and support and develop capability,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Enec.

“With the completion of CHT at Unit 1 and the energisation of the switchyard, we are moving closer to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our nation’s electricity needs with low-carbon, sustainable nuclear energy.”

The switchyard connects the generation capabilities of the plant with the transmission network of the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (Transco) and the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), allowing electricity that will be generated at the plant to be carried to UAE homes and businesses.

This also enables the plant to draw power from the transmission grid to support commissioning and operational testing. The energisation is the culmination of two-and-a-half years of work involving more than 1,000 highly skilled Enec and Transco experts.

Enec is focused on the safe and quality-driven delivery of four nuclear energy generating units, safely housed in containment buildings with a combined capacity of approximately 5,600 MW, a statement said.

Unit 1 is now more than 84 per cent complete and Unit 2 is 64 per cent complete. Overall, construction of Units 1 to 4 is now more than 58 per cent complete. All four units will deliver safe, clean, reliable and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing, according to the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service