Abu Dhabi: Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has taken one more step toward the completion of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant with the installation of the steam generators for unit 4, the final unit at the plant.
The work coincides with the installation of unit 4’s Reactor Vessel (RV).
Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Executive Committee Office and member of the Executive Council, led a delegation of top officials at a commemoration ceremony in Barakah to mark the milestone.
The delegation was hosted by Enec Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Enec CEO Mohammad Al Hammadi, and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) Chairman Ahn Choong Yong.
A signing ceremony and site tour highlighted Enec’s focus on quality and safety during construction and nuclear operational readiness activities, in preparation for the units to start generating electricity.
“The UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme 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 said in a statement on Monday.
“I am proud to be to be here in Barakah today to witness this extraordinary milestone in the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme,” said 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.”
Al Hammadi said: “These achievements are showcasing our commitment to delivering a world-class nuclear energy programme, from construction through to operations.”
Steam generators, similar in length to a tennis court, play a key role in the conversion of 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 programme. The RV is one of the most important and largest components in a nuclear energy plant. Weighing more than 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 per cent complete. unit 1 more than 96 per cent, Unit 3 more than 85 per cent and Unit 3 more than 75 per cent complete. Overall, construction of the four units is now more than 82 per cent 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 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Source: GulfNews.com
