The barrier to nuclear is perception, says panel

As policymakers grapple with the twin challenges of climate change and a post-COVID economic recovery, the benefits of nuclear power are clearer than ever, but the industry still has some way to go in addressing perceptions of its alleged drawbacks with cost, safety and radioactive waste. This was the overriding message of the three panellists in a webinar held last week by Utilities Middle East in partnership with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Nuclear Policies 31 December 2020

First UAE nuclear reactor reaches full power

Barakah unit 1 has reached 100% power and is now generating 1400 MW of electricity, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has announced today. The unit, which is operated by Nawah Energy Company, is now the single largest power generator in the UAE and is due to begin commercial operations early next year.

New Nuclear 07 December 2020

UAE, Saudi nuclear regulators strengthen cooperation

The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission have agreed to cooperate in nuclear and radiation regulatory matters, and to form topical working groups. The agreement follows the signing of a bilateral accord on cooperation in nuclear energy between the two countries in 2019.

Regulation & Safety 16 November 2020

UAE's clean energy goals are not limited to solar, says energy minister

The United Arab Emirates' world records in the development of solar power do not distract from an ambition to expand its use of nuclear energy to help facilitate the transition to a clean economy, UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui said yesterday. In his address to the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial, the minister explained the progress the UAE has made with its Energy Strategy 2050.

Nuclear Policies 23 September 2020

UAE's first reactor starts supplying power

Unit 1 of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi has been connected to the grid and has begun supplying electricity to the UAE. The South Korean-supplied APR1400 is expected to enter full commercial operation later this year.

New Nuclear 19 August 2020

UAE's first power reactor achieves criticality

Nawah Energy Company has started up unit 1 of the Barakah nuclear power plant, located in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi. Nawah is the joint venture nuclear operations and maintenance subsidiary of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Korea Electric Power Corporation. The APR1400 attained a sustained chain reaction for the first time early yesterday morning and is expected to enter commercial operation later this year.

New Nuclear 01 August 2020

UAE completes construction of Barakah 2

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has completed the construction of unit 2 of the Barakah nuclear power plant. The unit, which is in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, has been officially handed over to ENEC subsidiary Nawah Energy Company, which can now start preparations to obtain an operating licence for the unit from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

New Nuclear 15 July 2020

Final Barakah unit completes cold testing

Cold hydrostatic testing has been completed at Barakah unit 4, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has announced. The testing incorporated lessons learned from the previous three Barakah units and is a crucial step towards the completion of unit 4.

New Nuclear 19 May 2020

ENEC CEO: Barakah plant to start up 'very soon'

The first unit at the Barakah nuclear power plant will reach first criticality "within a month or so", Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi said yesterday. He was speaking to Fred Kempe, CEO of the US-based Atlantic Council think-tank, in an online discussion of the impacts of COVID-19 on global energy demand.

New Nuclear 07 May 2020

Viewpoint: Regulators are adapting to an unprecedented challenge

As the COVID-19 pandemic makes governments and international organisations consider new ways of conducting business and protecting communities, we need to turn the recovery into an opportunity to safeguard the future, writes Christer Viktorsson, director general of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

"Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019, and the World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic in March, it has triggered shock waves across the globe, locking down over 190 countries and affecting every-day life. The world is experiencing unprecedented challenges."

Perspectives 11 May 2020