More than 1,400 Emirati companies are contributing in a big way towards development of the country’s first nuclear energy plant at Barakah in the western region of Abu Dhabi, UAE, said a top official.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), the country's nuclear power utility, has till date awarded contracts worth more than $3 billion to various local companies.

The contracts have been awarded over the past six years in collaboration with Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Enec’s prime contractor.

This achievement not only further facilitates the development of a local nuclear energy industry but also contributes to the development of the greater economy and stimulates the growth of heavy industry in the UAE, said a top official.

"By working with Enec’s dedicated industrial development team to raise their standards and meet the unique requirements of the nuclear energy industry, Emirati companies are now contributing to the construction of the nuclear plant at Barakah and also gaining a competitive advantage in providing nuclear-quality services and materials worldwide," remarked its chief executive Mohamed Al Hammadi.

"A major factor in the UAE’s decision to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy programme was the opportunity to develop and enhance the nation’s budding industrial sector and provide a diverse range of opportunities for talented Emiratis," said Al Hammadi.

"The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme has supported the diversification and growth of the nation’s economy since its inception," he added.

According to him, Enec’s team works with companies to upgrade their processes and systems to become American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Asme) Nuclear Component certified companies.

Companies that have upgraded their processes see benefits beyond the nuclear industry as their products and services are seen to uphold a higher standard of quality and excellence.

"A key example is the Dubai-based Ducab, which has recently signed its first international export contract with the Korean Hydro-Nuclear Power Company (KHNP) to provide nuclear industry standard cables for the Shin Hanul 1 and 2 nuclear power plant. This is a result of Ducab’s success in supplying cables for the Barakah plant," he added.

Another local firm that has benefitted is Emirates Steel which supplies nuclear quality reinforcing steel bars (rebars) for the project. It was also the first company in the GCC to be awarded a quality system certificate (QSC) from the Asme.

By focusing on local companies, Enec is also helping to stimulate the local economy in the Western Region and the UAE as a whole, stated Al Hammadi.

The work at Barakah plant is moving at a steady pace with more than 65 per cent of the project completed.

All four units will deliver safe, clean, reliable and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.

Once all the four reactors get completed, the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme will provide approximately 25 per cent of the country's power needs and save up to 12 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.-TradeArabia News Service