Nuclear regulator approves Barakah power plant construction

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the United Arab Emirates has granted the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) a licence to construct two nuclear power reactor units at its proposed Barakah site in the Western Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. During a press conference held at "Intercontinental Abu Dhabi", Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency said that the Licence for the Construction of Units One and Two of the Barakah Nuclear Facility and Related Regulated Activities was approved by the FANR Board of Management, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al Mazrouei, at its meeting on Tuesday, 17 July. The Licence authorises ENEC to construct two Korean-design advanced pressurised water reactors of the type known as the APR1400, each capable of producing 1,400 megawatts of electricity. It does not allow ENEC to operate them. ENEC must apply to FANR for a separate operating licence. Dr. Ahmed Al Mazrouei added that "The issuance of a construction licence is a significant milestone in the UAE's nuclear energy programme" .