Operating licence approval for Barakah Nuclear Plant on track

Abu Dhabi - The UAE last year announced that one of the four nuclear reactors at its debut plant had been completed.

The UAE's journey towards a peaceful nuclear energy programme remains on track and operating licences for the first two units of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant would be approved shortly, according to the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
Christer Viktorsson, director-general of the FANR, said on Wednesday that the FANR is currently in the final stages of reviewing the 'Operating Licence Application', which was made by Nawah Energy Company for units 1 and 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra.
"It's our commitment as the country's nuclear regulator to ensure safety and security of the plant. We haven't yet issued the operating licence, but we are in the final stages," Viktorsson said in a media briefing, but didn't reveal the exact date the licence would be approved.
"We are conducting regular inspections and other forms of engaging with the operator. Our board of management convened yesterday (Tuesday) and underscored the national importance of such a mega project to meet all requirements in terms of safety, security and non-proliferation."
According to Viktorsson, to approve Barakah's operating licence, the FANR looks into three elements: The verification that the nuclear power plant has been built according to the international standards, review of the application documents that were submitted in 2015 and organisational readiness.
The UAE last year announced that one of the four nuclear reactors at its debut plant had been completed.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), which is overseeing the nuclear programme, is awaiting approvals from the FANR to start operating.
The second reactor is 92 per cent complete, the third 81 per cent while 66 per cent of the fourth reactor has been completed, Wam reported in 2018. When fully operational, the four reactors will produce 5,600 megawatts of electricity, or around 25 per cent of the country's needs, according to the UAE energy ministry.
On nuclear non-proliferation, Viktorsson said the FANR continues to carry out its mission as stipulated by the UAE's nuclear law that mandates "us to regulate the nation's nuclear sector for peaceful purposes".
Radiation Protection
According to the FANR, in their commitment to protecting the public and the environment, they are currently working in collaboration with 26 national stakeholders to draft the "UAE National Strategy for Education and Training in Radiation Protection".
"The strategy involves various aspects such as education where it will create academic progress in radiological protection and medical physics, where we currently work closely with Khalifa University and the Dubai Health Authority," said Viktorsson.
"The strategy will create various training courses for radiation protection officers and emergency workers."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi