Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Construction of the UAEs first nuclear power plant, which is expected to produce electricity in 2017, is scheduled to start in the first quarter of next year after a licence is obtained, an official familiar with the nuclear programme said yesterday.
Three other nuclear power plants, which will be built on the same site, located on the Arabian Gulf about 75 kilometres from the Saudi border are scheduled to come on stream one after another by 2020, the official added.
The official was speaking after the International Advisory Board (IAB), a body mandated to make an independent assessment of the UAEs nuclear energy programme, released its first semi-annual report.
In December, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the body in charge of developing the UAEs nuclear programme, filed an environmental assessment and two licence applications with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
Chaired by Dr Hans Blix, the former director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IABs report said the UAE was committed to making nuclear safety the highest priority in the establishment of FANR and ENEC, including a clear division in the roles and responsibilities of the two.
By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
