Abu Dhabi working to protect coral reefs near Barakah nuclear plant

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is working to protect coral reefs around the UAE’s nuclear plant following the connection of the first unit to the UAE grid.

In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said Abu Dhabi’s environment regulator – the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) – and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), which owns the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are working together to achieve this environmental goal.

“Following the successful connection of Unit 1 to the UAE’s grid, EAD and ENEC have collaborated to conserve and rehabilitate coral reefs around the plant as part of the efforts to protect the environment and biological diversity in Abu Dhabi,” the statement said.

As part of preservation initiatives, 7,300 coral reef settlements have been preserved by removing them from the Barakah site and rehabilitating them in other areas. Another 22,3000 coral reefs have been regrown, while 6,000 square metres of artificial reef have been created.

A compensation plan is also being implemented to ensure that the Arab World’s first nuclear plant supports and preserves the environment and the UAE’s biological diversity.