The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) is entirely focused on ensuring that its nuclear power plants in Barakah, Abu Dhabi, are delivered to the highest standards of quality and safety, said Enec CEO Eng Mohamed Al Hammadi told a major conference in London, UK.

A senior delegation from Enec, led by Al Hammadi participated in the World Nuclear Association (WNA) Symposium.

During the opening session of the conference, Al Hammadi shared a number of lessons learned on the quality and safety-led development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program with the international nuclear energy community.

On the cusp of becoming the 31st country to generate electricity using peaceful nuclear energy, the UAE has set the gold standard for new nuclear build and operations. The UAE has not only illustrated its ability and commitment to diversifying its energy mix but has demonstrated the benefits of transparency, international cooperation, and development of local human capital.

“The UAE possesses unique know-how and experience in the delivery of mega projects across a range of sectors, as highlighted in the delivery of the world’s largest nuclear plant under construction, in Abu Dhabi. As a result, we are steadily progressing on our journey to becoming a peaceful nuclear energy nation, and we have achieved this with significant agility, adapting to different phases of the complex project that is the Barakah plant. This has been made possible through constant collaboration with our joint venture partner and prime contractor Kepco, the continued development of our people, and transparent and consistent cooperation with the international nuclear energy industry,” Al Hammadi said during his remarks at the opening session of the conference.

In updating the audience on the current status of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, Al Hammadi said: “To prepare for nuclear operations, we are entirely focused on ensuring that our plant is delivered to the highest standards of nuclear quality and safety. We also continue to dedicate significant attention to continuously developing our people and on human performance, as these are fundamental to safe nuclear operations. We are working to ensure that we have the right experts to conduct quality operations for a fully resourced plant. We will not, under any circumstances, change the priorities of our program to let scheduling or any other aspect prioritise our work. I am proud to say that safety, continuous improvement, and excellence is what ENEC stands for.”

The UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and all of Enec’s activities are regulated by the country’s nuclear regulator – the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). Enec also continuously engages with and utilises the expertise of an extensive network of organizations whose members include some of the world’s most renowned professionals in nuclear energy, including the International Advisory Board (IAB), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO).

Taking place between September 13 and 15 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, the WNA Symposium has brought together more than 600 nuclear energy professionals from more than 30 countries. The symposium provides an annual high-level platform for discussion of the challenges and opportunities shaping the global nuclear energy industry.

The project at Barakah is progressing steadily; as of July 2017, Unit 1 is more than 96 percent complete. Unit 2 is more than 86 percent complete, Unit 3 is more than 76 percent, and Unit 4 is more than 54 percent. Overall, construction of the four Units is now more than 82 percent complete. All four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.

When the four reactors are completed, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year. - TradeArabia News Service