The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, on 9th March has issued the Operating License for Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to Nawah Energy Company, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) subsidiary, responsible for the operation of the nuclear power plant located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.
The Operating License, with an estimated duration of around 60 years, authorises Nawah to commission and operate the Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.
The decision to issue the Operating License is a culmination of efforts made by The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation since it received the Operating License Application from ENEC, on behalf of Nawah, in year 2015 for Units 1 and 2. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation followed a systematic review process that included a thorough assessment of the application documentation, conducting robust regulatory oversight and inspections.
The assessment included reviewing the plant’s layout design and the analysis of the site’s location in terms of demography and geography. The assessment also included the reactor design, cooling systems, emergency preparedness, security arrangements, radioactive waste management and other technical aspects. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation also assessed Nawah’s organisational and manpower readiness with all the required processes and procedures to ensure the safety and security of nuclear power plant.
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation reviewed the 14,000 page Operating License Application for Units 1 & 2, conducted more than 220 inspections and requested roughly for 59 additional pieces of information for Unit 2 on various matters related to reactor design, safety and other issues to ensure the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant’s complete compliance with all regulatory requirements.
"This is one of the historic moments for the UAE, being the 1st Arab country in the region to operate a nuclear power plant and culminating efforts of around 13 years in building such a programme. This milestone was achieved due to the UAE’s unshakable vision and its leadership to build a peaceful nuclear energy programme to provide for the future needs of energy in the country," said Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency and Deputy Chairman at The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
"The UAE Nuclear Energy Programme, including the nuclear law and regulations, conforms to the safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international best practices, where The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation has ensured its implementation during the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. The decision was announced on 9th March follows many years of intensive work and collaboration with national and international stakeholders such as International Atomic Energy Agency, Republic of Korea and other international regulatory bodies," added Al Kaabi.
Following the issuance of the Operating License for the Unit 2, Nawah will undertake a period of commissioning to be ready for the commercial operation where The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation will conduct around the clock inspections, using its resident inspectors located at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in addition to deploying other inspectors, to ensure the Fuel Load and Power Accession processes are completed according to regulatory requirements.
In February 2020, The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation issued the operating license for the Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and maintained its regulatory oversight during the commissioning phase where it delivered full 100% power. It is expected that the unit 1 will start the commercial operation during the 1st quarter of 2021.
1 of the principles of the nuclear policy is transparency to which the Government of the UAE has been committed to by adhering to international conventions and agreements such the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Safeguard Agreement and its Additional Protocol and the Convention on Nuclear Safety and other instruments. Such commitments ensure the programme is designed for peaceful purposes and in line with national and international laws.
The UAE is currently building 4units at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and the project’s overall construction rate is 95% as follows: Unit 1: operational; Unit 2: completed; Unit 3: 94%; Unit 4: 88%.