Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has announced contracts with UAE-based companies totaling more than $3 billion (Dhs11 billion) for the construction of the country’s first nuclear energy plant.
More than 1,400 UAE-based companies have now been contracted for the delivery of products and services for the Barakah plant, currently under construction in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, Enec said in a statement today.
According to the company, the contracts have been awarded over the past six years through collaboration between Enec, the entity responsible for the construction and operation of the plant, and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Enec’s prime contractor.
“By working with Enec’s dedicated Industrial Development Team to raise their standards and meet the unique requirements of the nuclear energy industry, Emirati companies are now contributing to the construction of the nuclear plant at Barakah and also gaining a competitive advantage in providing nuclear-quality services and materials worldwide,” Enec’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamadd Al Hammadi, said in a statement.
The project at Barakah is progressing steadily with Unit 1 at more than 87 per cent, Unit 2 70 per cent, Unit 3, 48 per cent and Unit 4 at 29 per cent complete, Enec said. Overall, construction of Units 1 to 4 is now more than 65 per cent complete. The project, once finished, will provide approximately 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs and save up to 12 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
