Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) and its subsidiary Nawah Energy Company introduced on January 28th that a vast operational readiness assessment performed by an international team of nuclear industry experts from the Atlanta Centre of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (Wano) has concluded that Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi is ready to start up.

The Wano Pre-start Up Review (PSUR) is a globally-identified nuclear industry evaluation which is held in line with the international industry standards set by Wano, of which Enec and Nawah are both members.

During the PSUR process, which took place last November, Wano teams inspected and examined numerous functional and cross-functional areas that are necessary for the safe start-up and operation of the unit, ranging from operator performance and operations and maintenance, through to work management and emergency readiness.

The ultimate results of the PSUR were recently communicated by Wano Atlanta Center representatives, which proved that Unit 1 of the Barakah plant is ready to start up, said a top official. "The fact that our first unit and our team of experts successfully completed this international start-up assessment by Wano is a major milestone for the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme," remarked Enec CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi.

The Wano PSUR comes after a string of assessments carried out by several national and international regulatory organizations during the past years.

It is the culmination of over 30 support missions and peer examination by Wano, and reflects Nawah’s strong culture of safety and commitment to upholding the highest international standards of safety, security, quality, and transparency.

International cooperation with nuclear organisations is a central commitment of the 2008 Policy of the UAE on the Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy.

The policy set the equitable to "engage Wano and its members to provide assessments and shared experience feedback" as an essential constituent of its commitments to complete operational Reddemann pointed out that Nawah is concluding the final requirements to demonstrate operational readiness in preparation to receive the Operating License from FANR, prior to starting the loading of the first fuel assemblies safely into Unit 1 of the Barakah plant in Q1.