First Barakah unit is connected to gridNuclear NewsPower & OperationsAugust 20, 2020, 9:22AM|Nuclear News StaffNawah 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.What they’re saying: “The safe and successful connection of Unit 1 to the UAE grid marks the key moment when we begin to deliver on our mission to power the growth of the nation by supplying clean electricity, around the clock,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of ENEC. “Grid connection of Unit 1 really is the beginning of a new era in our project, which is built upon years of preparation and adherence to the highest international safety and quality standards. We are confident in our people and our technology to continue to progress to reach commercial operations and the completion of the remaining three units, with the goal to power up to 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity needs for at least the next 60 years.”Al Hammadi also acknowledged ENEC’s prime contractor and partner on the Barakah project, the Korea Electric Power Corporation, for its efforts, as well as TRANSCO, for the construction of 952 kilometers (about 590 miles) of 400kV overhead lines.“TRANSCO plays an important role in facilitating a more sustainable energy future for the UAE,” said Afif Saif Al Yafei, the company’s CEO. “As the country forges ahead with utility-scale clean energy projects, TRANSCO continues to ensure these projects can effectively integrate with our existing network infrastructure to provide a secure and stable supply of power to the community. The integration of Unit 1 of the Barakah nuclear energy plant is an important step toward increasing clean energy generation capacity to the grid.”Next: With the completion of grid synchronization, reactor operators will begin the process of gradually raising Unit 1’s power levels, known as power ascension testing. The testing will be conducted under the oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, which has conducted more than 280 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development, according to ENEC.ENEC recently announced the completion of construction of Unit 2, with operational readiness preparations now under way by Nawah. Barakah-3 and -4 are in the final stages of construction, ENEC said, with Unit 3 at 93 percent completion and Unit 4 at 86 percent.Tags:barakahenecfanrkepconawahuaeShare: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
UAE’s Barakah-1 achieves first criticalityInitial 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.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