The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has achieved a major construction milestone with the successful completion of the reactor containment building (RCB) dome for Unit 4, the final unit of its Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant located in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi.

The Unit 4’s reactor coolant loop (RCL) pipe welding, and the setting of key equipment have also been completed, said a statement from Enec.

The completion of Unit 4’s dome structure signifies the majority completion of the main construction activities at the Barakah Plant.

This is a key milestone in the overall development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and the delivery of safe, clean and reliable electricity to the UAE grid.

The dome is the final structural component of the RCB, which now measures around 70 m in height. The RCB houses the nuclear reactor vessel (RV), steam generators and other major components. Built out of concrete and heavily reinforced steel, RCBs are ranked among the strongest structures in the world.

The successful and efficient completion of welding of the RCL, which plays a key role in transferring heat from the RV to the steam generators, is another key step towards the start of major testing for the systems of Unit 4.

On the milestone, CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi said: "These achievements highlight the significant progress being made in both the construction of Unit 4 as well as the journey towards the overall completion of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant."

Construction of the last unit of the plant started in 2015, and it continues to benefit from the lessons learned and experience gained by the teams responsible for the construction of the other three units, remarked Al Hammadi.

"With construction completion for Unit 4 currently standing at 67 per cent, the next phase for the unit will be to start the transition from construction to testing and commissioning," he added.

Al Hammadi pointed out that Enec was committed to delivering clean, safe and efficient electricity through peaceful nuclear energy to the UAE, in adherence to the highest international standards of quality and safety.

"These recent milestones are the result of the exceptional partnership between Enec and its prime contractor and joint venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), in combination with the dedication and expertise of our UAE Nationals and international experts," he added.

Enec said in addition to the completion of the RCB dome structure and RCL welding, a significant amount of major equipment setting has been safely and successfully completed at Barakah Unit 4.
Construction crews continue to ensure that the highest standards of nuclear quality are implemented for Unit 4, in the same way as for Units 1 to 3, stated the company.

The completion of the final dome structure and additional work on Unit 4 is indicative of the steady and continuous progress being made at the Barakah plant, which, with the achievement of these recent milestones, is more than 87 per cent complete.

Unit 4 alone is more than 67 per cent complete, while Units 3 and 2 are 81 per cent and 92 per cent respectively. The construction of the plant’s Unit 1 has been safely completed and is currently undergoing a comprehensive review in preparation for operations.-TradeArabia News Service