UAE: Unit 3 of Barakah nuclear plant starts fuel assembly loading

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary Nawah Energy Company has received the operating license from the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The process of loading fuel assemblies into the reactor has now begun in line with all national regulations and the highest international standards.

With Unit 3 now approved to operate alongside Units 1 and 2, this milestone demonstrates the substantial and swift progress that has been made in developing nuclear energy as a strategically significant, clean and abundant source of electricity for the UAE, while transforming the country’s energy landscape and enhancing national energy security.

Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: “We are delighted to receive the Operating License for Unit 3 at the Barakah Plant, and we look forward to the start of reliable electricity production alongside Units 1 and 2 in the coming months. As we count with Unit 3, we are rapidly delivering a practical climate solution on the ground, enabling the UAE’s large-scale decarbonization efforts alongside its economic growth, and leading the way to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.

“The success and benefits of bringing each Unit at Barakah into operation in consecutive years since Unit 1 in 2020 showcase the significant benefits of developing a multi-unit nuclear energy plant in driving energy security and sustainability for nations that commit to the long-term development process of a civil nuclear program.”

Receipt of the Unit 3 operating license confirms that the Plant, people, programs, policies and procedures meet FANR’s robust standards, after conducting 120 unit-specific reviews and inspections. In addition, all voluntary reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) have been successfully completed. Prior to the license from FANR, WANO completed a Pre Start-Up Review (PSUR), confirming the Unit’s readiness for operation.

This is the third Unit that will enter the operational phase in the last three years, leveraging the expertise and experience of the operating teams, and the knowledge gained during the loading of fuel into Unit 1 in February 2020 and Unit 2 in March 2021.

With the completion of the fuel load process, the operations team will proceed with preparations for start-up of the Unit later this year, followed by the delivery of the first megawatts of clean and reliable electricity.

When it begins to operate at full power within the coming months, the third Unit will add a further 1,400 megawatts of zero-carbon emission electricity to the national grid, similar to each of the other two reactor Units, propelling the country ahead in meeting its goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.

Operating license granted after rigorous reviews to ensure safety

For more than a decade, ENEC has implemented a robust training and qualifications program to ensure that it has the certified nuclear plant operators and engineers to safely operate three nuclear units at the same time.

Engineer Ali Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Nawah, which is mandated to operate and maintain the Barakah Plant, commented: “Receiving the third Operating License for the Barakah Plant is the result of over 520 rigorous reviews to date from our independent regulator, FANR, of which 120 are related specifically to Unit 3. The reviews cover every aspect of the plant to ensure we are ready to operate in line with national regulatory requirements. Successfully passing these reviews is testament to the expertise we have developed and the outstanding operating experience of our teams, made up of highly-skilled and qualified UAE Nationals and international experts.