UAE’s Barakah-1 achieves first criticalityNuclear NewsPower & OperationsAugust 4, 2020, 12:34PM|Nuclear News StaffInitial criticality is achieved at Barakah-1. Photo: ENECNawah Energy Company has successfully started up Unit 1 of the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant, according to an announcement from Nawah’s parent company, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). One of four 1,345-MWe APR-1400 pressurized water reactors at the plant, Unit 1 achieved initial criticality on August 1.Construction of Barakah-1 was completed in March 2018, and fuel loading was completed in March of this year. Commercial operation for the unit is scheduled for later in 2020. Last month, ENEC announced that construction of Barakah-2 was complete and that construction of Barakah-3 and -4 were 92 percent and 85 percent complete, respectively. What they’re saying: “Today is a truly historic moment for the UAE,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of ENEC. “It is the culmination of more than a decade of vision, strategic planning, and robust program management. Despite the recent global challenges, our team has demonstrated outstanding resilience and commitment to the safe delivery of Unit 1. We are now another step closer to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our nation’s electricity needs and powering its future growth with safe, reliable, and emissions-free electricity.” Al Hammadi added that along with their power generation benefits, the Barakah reactors will support economic diversification by creating thousands of high-value jobs through the establishment of a sustainable local nuclear energy industry and supply chain. “We are grateful to the leadership for their continuous support in making this remarkable achievement happen, along with the support of our UAE stakeholders and Korean partners, and congratulate everyone involved in the program on this landmark occasion,” he said. Background: The UAE–South Korea nuclear partnership began in 2009, when Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) was awarded the prime contract to design, build, and help operate the Barakah plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. In 2016, ENEC and Kepco signed a joint venture agreement for a long-term partnership to become joint owners of Nawah Energy and Barakah One Company, with ENEC owning 82 percent of the two companies and Kepco holding an 18 percent ownership stake.Tags:apr-1400barakaheneckepconawahuaeShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Statement from UAE Section of ANS Chair Gale Hauck on BarakahAt Barakah Site, we feel so lucky to be a part of such a historic achievement and to have contributed in some small way. I came to the UAE almost three years ago with the hope that I could see a first core initial startup at least once in my career. Now that it’s happened, it’s a little surreal. While we celebrate our accomplishments at the site, we remain focused on our everyday work. There’s still much to do to ensure Units 2, 3, and 4 can safely start up on schedule.Note: Hauck is also the Deputy Site Manager at Barakah for Westinghouse Electric Co.Go to Article
Statement from ANS President Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar on Barakah Nuclear Energy PlantANS congratulates the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. on bringing the first Barakah reactor to full operational capacity.Go to Article
First Barakah unit is connected to gridNawah Energy Company, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), has connected Unit 1 of the Barakah nuclear power plant to the United Arab Emirates’ power grid, according to an August 19 announcement from Nawah’s parent company, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). Barakah, located in the Al Dhafrah Region of Abu Dhabi, houses four 1,345-MWe APR-1400 pressurized water reactors. Unit 1 achieved first criticality earlier this month.Go to Article
Construction of UAE’s Barakah-2 completedThe UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant. Photo: ENECThe Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has completed construction of Unit 2 at the Barakah nuclear plant, the company announced on July 14. The plant, the Arab world’s first such facility, is located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city.Hot functional testing of the unit had been completed in August 2018, followed by structural integrity testing and integrated leak rate testing in March last year.With construction complete, the unit has now been officially turned over to Nawah Energy Company, ENEC’s operating and maintenance subsidiary. According to the announcement, the focus at Barakah-2 now shifts to completing the operational readiness preparations, regulatory inspections, and international assessments required for obtaining an operating license from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, the UAE’s nuclear regulator.Go to Article
ENEC completes key test for Barakah-4The UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant in 2019. Photo: ENECEmirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has completed cold hydrostatic testing at Unit 4 of the Barakah nuclear power plant, the Arab world’s first such facility, located in Abu Dhabi. According to a May 19 ENEC press release, the testing incorporated lessons learned from the plant’s three other units and is a crucial step toward Unit 4’s completion. All four units are 1,345-MWe APR1400 pressurized water reactors. Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.Go to Article
2019 - A Wish List in Nuclear EnergyWelcome to 2019! I hope everyone who took a break enjoyed it. For those who didn't, why didn't you? Initially, I had thoughts of trying to separate from social media and news to a significant extent during the holidays but, after conversations with Linda Zec (our wonderful ANS staff liaison for the Social Media Team, among many other things) decided that it was impractical to do so for a variety of reasons. So, as the holiday furor ebbed and flowed and I continued, still connected, to read news and year-end summations, I found myself wishing that there wouldn't be so much frustrating news in 2019. That's why I decided to open my eighth calendar year writing for the ANS Nuclear Cafe with a wish list, or "listicle" in the inside jargon, if you prefer. Here, in ascending order of importance (or, I suppose, increasing order of unlikelihood) are my five wishes for this new year in nuclear energy. (All on one screen; no annoying "next" buttons. You're welcome.)Go to Article