Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and its subsidiary Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), announced today that an extensive operational readiness assessment performed by an international team of nuclear industry experts from the Atlanta Center of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has concluded that Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi is ready to start up.

The WANO Pre-start Up Review (PSUR) is a globally-recognized nuclear industry assessment which is conducted in line with the international industry standards set by WANO, of which ENEC and Nawah are both members.

During the PSUR process, which took place in November 2019, WANO teams reviewed and examined numerous functional and cross-functional areas that are essential for the safe start-up and operation of the Unit, ranging from operator performance and operations and maintenance, through to work management and emergency preparedness. The final results of the PSUR were recently communicated by WANO Atlanta Center representatives, which confirmed that Unit 1 of the Barakah plant is ready to start up.

The WANO PSUR comes after a series of assessments carried out by several national and international regulatory organizations during the past years. International collaboration with nuclear organizations is a central commitment of the 2008 Policy of the UAE on the Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy. The policy set the objective to “engage WANO and its members to provide assessments and shared experience feedback” as an essential component of its commitments to complete operational transparency, as well as the continuous pursuit of the highest standards of safety and security.

“The fact that our first Unit and our team of experts successfully completed this international start up assessment by WANO is a major milestone for the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program,” said H.E. Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC CEO. “It provides international recognition that our plant, people and processes meet international start up standards and that the Barakah plant fully aligns to the commitments made in 2008 by the Nation of complete operational transparency, and the pursuit of the highest standards of safety, quality and security. We take this achievement with great responsibility while we continue to support Nawah in obtaining regulatory approval from FANR to safely and gradually commence producing clean, safe and reliable electricity to power the growth of the UAE for the next 60 years.”

The PSUR is the culmination of over 30 support missions and peer reviews by WANO, and reflects Nawah’s strong Culture of Safety and commitment to upholding the highest international standards of safety, security, quality, and transparency.

It also demonstrates the success of Nawah’s ongoing operational readiness activities as it prepares to load the first nuclear fuel assemblies into Unit 1, which is expected to take place in Q1 2020, once all requirements have been met and Nawah is in receipt of the Operating License from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator.

Mr. Mark Reddemann, Chief Executive Officer of Nawah Energy Company, said: “Successfully completing WANO’s PSUR of Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is a testament to our commitment to the highest national and international regulations and standards. As we progress towards the secure and safety-led start-up of Unit 1, we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we demonstrate our readiness to receive the Operating License from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, as we work to pursue the highest standards of operational excellence.”

Nawah is concluding the final requirements to demonstrate operational readiness in preparation to receive the Operating License from FANR, prior to commencing the loading of the first fuel assemblies safely into Unit 1 of the Barakah plant, scheduled for Q1 2020. Once the fuel assemblies are loaded into the reactor, Nawah will begin the start-up sequence for Power Ascension Testing, where operators will safely raise power generation levels over a number of months, prior to commercial operation.

- Ends-

About the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) is working to deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the United Arab Emirates - energy that is needed to support the UAE’s social and economic growth.

Established by decree in December 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, ENEC represents all aspects of the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program.

Driven by a Culture of Safety, ENEC’s overriding priority is ensuring the safety of the UAE community, employees and the environment.

About Nawah Energy Company

A subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and partially owned by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Nawah has been mandated to safely operate and maintain Units 1 to 4 in Barakah in adherence to the highest standards of safety, security and quality, and to the UAE’s commitment of operational transparency.

About Barakah One Company

A subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and partially owned by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Barakah One is the company in charge of representing the financial and commercial interests of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant project.

For more information, visit:
www.enec.gov.ae  

Media Contact:
enec@fourcommunications.com
media@enec.gov.ae

If you would like to be removed from the distribution list for ENEC emails, please email enec@fourcommunications.com , with ‘Unsubscribe’ in the header.

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.