Nuclear power likely to generate 12 pct of UAE's energy needs

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) observed Wednesday the start of construction on the fourth nuclear reactor in the UAE's Al-Gharbia region, ENEC said in an e-mailed statement.

Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) were present at the event.

Al-Mazrouei called the construction progress a "key milestone" near Barakah, 53 kilometers southwest of Ruwais city, in the Al-Gharbia region.

The milestone was achieved "following the commencement of nuclear-related construction, regulated construction activity directly related to the reactor, containment buildings and supporting structures, for Unit 4, the UAE's fourth nuclear energy reactor," said ENEC.

During onsite celebrations marking the progress, the minister received an update presented by ENEC CEO, Mohamed Al-Hammadi, concerning the company's program of delivering safe, clean and reliable nuclear electricity by 2017.

"I am extremely proud to be here today at Barakah to witness this momentous occasion as ENEC enters a new development phase through delivery of the only nuclear energy construction site in the world to have four identical nuclear reactors underway simultaneously," said minister Al-Mazrouei.

The fourth reactor, is the last of a nuclear reactor block built for peaceful energy purposes.

Built under the direction of Korea's Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) at a total cost of 32 billion US dollars, the first reactor is to produce electricity by 2017.

ENEC awarded KEPCO leadership in December 2009, with construction starting in July 2012. The fourth reactor under construction today, is scheduled to connect to the UAE's electricity grid by 2020.

According to the UAE Energy Ministry's strategic plan, nuclear power shall produce up to 12 percent of the UAE's - a major oil supplier and member of OPEC - domestic energy needs.

As of today, 99 percent of this need comes from oil and gas.

ENEC's Construction License for Units 3 and 4 was approved by the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in September 2014.

With the construction of four identical nuclear energy reactors now underway, the project at Barakah surpasses nuclear construction sites in China, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Russia and other countries, becoming the largest project with simultaneous construction of identical nuclear technology worldwide, said ENEC.

Al-Mazrouei added that nuclear energy will play a critical role in the provision of sustainable energy to power the future of the UAE and, "While the pace and sophistication of this historic program continues to grow, I am consistently impressed to see ENEC deliver its project according to the highest international safety, quality and performance standards."

The UAE's Energy Minister, said this approach ensures the long-term sustainability of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy program.

The four reactors are expected to generate electricity for 60 years, according to KEPCO.

The UAE's progress in nuclear energy plans has inspired Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to launch similar projects. Endit