Major Components Successfully Installed at Unit 4 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, Abu Dhabi

In line with the ‘Abu Dhabi Plan’, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has made significant progress on the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, with the installation of the steam generators for Unit 4, the final unit at the plant. This milestone event coincides with the successful installation of Unit 4’s Reactor Vessel (RV).

H.E. Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Executive Committee Office and member of the Executive Council, led the delegation of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council (GSEC), which attended the commemoration ceremony in Barakah, the world’s largest nuclear energy construction site. The delegation was hosted by His Excellency Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENEC, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, ENEC CEO, Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) Chairman of the Board of Directors  Ahn Choong Yong, as well as ENEC, Nawah and Barakah One Company executives.

The delegation from GSEC included H.E. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport and a member of the Executive Council, H.E. Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development and a member of the Executive Council, and representatives of strategic stakeholders.

During the event, the delegation took part in a signing ceremony, as well as tour of the site, which highlighted ENEC’s focus on quality and safety during construction and nuclear operational readiness activities, in preparation for the units to start generating electricity.

His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s Board of Directors, said: “The UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program supports the Abu Dhabi Plan by contributing to a diversified energy mix and sustainable, long term economic growth. The installation of the final reactor vessel and steam generators, as per the 2009 Prime Contract, is a great achievement.”

“I am proud of the unwavering commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the entire team. From our Emirati engineers to our international experts and Korean partners, the focus has remained on quality, safety and efficiency throughout this development process,” Al Mubarak added.

“I am proud to be to be here in Barakah today to witness this extraordinary milestone in the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program,” said H.E. Al Zaabi. “Nuclear energy plays a strategic role for the future of our Nation, enabling economic and industrial growth, as well as careers in nuclear energy for Emirati youth. It will also support in securing the energy sector by diversifying energy sources to meet the rapid growth of the national economy.”

The delegation closed the visit to Barakah with a signing ceremony inside Unit 4, where they observed the installation of the Steam Generators. Guests signed a specially-prepared panel to commemorate this important milestone.

ENEC’s CEO Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi said: “These achievements are showcasing our commitment to delivering a world-class nuclear energy program, from construction through to operations.”

“The successful installation of the final Reactor Vessel and Steam Generators for the Barakah Plant is testament to the dedication of our teams towards the previous milestones and for the upcoming plans.” Al Hammadi added.

Steam Generators, which are similar in length to a tennis court, play a key role in the conversion of the energy generated by the nuclear fission reaction in the RV into the electricity, which will eventually power homes and businesses throughout the UAE. The heat generated in the RV is transferred to the steam generator and turns water into steam, which is then used to spin a turbine and generate electricity.

The installation of the RV is a critical step in the continued progress and development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. The RV is one of the most important and largest components in a nuclear energy plant. Weighing over 500 tonnes and measuring almost 15 metres in height, the RV will eventually contain the controlled nuclear reaction that will generate the clean, efficient and reliable electricity that will feed into the UAE grid. It is also one of the many defence-in-depth barriers that ensure the safety of nuclear energy plants.

The project at Barakah is progressing steadily; Unit 4 is now more than 52 percent complete. Unit 1 is more than 96 percent, while Unit 2 is more than 85 percent, and Unit 3 is more than 75 percent. Overall, construction of the four Units is now more than 82 percent complete. All four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing. When the four reactors are completed, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year.

Image Source: IAEA