Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation, has officially dedicated a new branch office that will facilitate its participation in UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme in Barakah, in the Western region of Abu Dhabi.

The firm will use its new Westinghouse Electric-Abu Dhabi office, working in close co-operation with Toshiba Power Systems Company, to promote the merits of safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy throughout the Middle East region, said a statement.

Jeff Benjamin, Westinghouse senior vice president, New Plants and Major Projects, lauded the UAE for its forward-looking energy and economic policies.

“The UAE’s decision to move forward with a comprehensive nuclear energy program is universally accepted as a role model for other nations and regions committed to energy independence,” he said.  

Westinghouse supports the UAE’s programme as a US sub-contractor to the Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco), the prime contractor to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), who is responsible for the deployment, ownership and operation of nuclear energy plants within the UAE.

The company provides plant components such as reactor coolant pumps and instrumentation and control equipment, along with engineering, licensing, and training services for Enec’s four units currently under construction at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (Barakah NPP), the first of which is scheduled to become operational in 2017.


“We intend to work closely with the entire Barakah NPP project team to ensure the highest levels of long-term safety and project success in all areas, including new plant delivery, fuel, service and training,” Benjamin said.

Mohammed Al Hammadi, Enec’s CEO, said: “An important factor in the UAE’s decision to pursue peaceful nuclear energy was the opportunity for the development of a new industrial sector here in the UAE; and the establishment of new regional hubs for major industry players such as Westinghouse is evidence of the flourishing nuclear energy sector that is emerging here as a result of our programme.

“Westinghouse plays an important role in the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program through our prime contract with Kepco, and we congratulate them on the opening of their new Middle Eastern headquarters here in Abu Dhabi.” - TradeArabia News Service