The UAE has never stood still in its march of progress, always striving to improve and develop, to be in the vanguard when it comes to technological advances. And when it comes to milestones in this nation’s history, the date March 26, 2018, needs to be circled on calendars for future note — for it was then that construction was finished on the first of four nuclear reactors being built at Barakah, midway between the city of Abu Dhabi and the border with Saudi Arabia.
The completion of the first reactor means that this nation is well on target and on course to join the pantheon of countries that use nuclear energy to power their economies, peacefully enjoying the environmental benefits of a clean energy source. Indeed, the nuclear plant is an investment for the future, ensuring that this nation is on path to diversifying its economy and securing its energy needs well into the decades to come.
When the UAE sets its mind and harnesses the potential of its people and resources, nothing can stand in the way of determined progress. Right now, the Barakah plant is 86 per cent complete, with the other three nuclear reactor units and their ancillary buildings and structures at advanced stages of construction. While the project is advancing on schedule, the valuable partnership between the UAE and South Korea, whose experts are assisting in the technical aspects of building and commissioning the reactor units, is bringing it to fruition.
To highlight this, South Korea President Moon Jae-in was present at the Barakah site to mark the milestone completion of the first reactor.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who attended the event, noted that the UAE was moving ahead with completing one of the most important strategic projects in the country. “The UAE proves day after day that it is possible to realise one’s hopes and aspirations,” Shaikh Mohammad said. “This is the approach of our forefathers. The will and determination we have inherited from them is what gives our people the confidence to embark on such a journey.”
All four reactors will be finished by 2020 and the completed plant will be able to meet one quarter of the energy needs of the nation when fully online. That represents a significant reduction in carbon emissions, further strengthening the environmental commitment of the UAE.
Yes, it’s a job well done.
