Abu Dhabi: Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has achieved a series of milestones in the construction of Unit 3 of the Barakah nuclear energy plant.
Enec has completed major construction work, including major concrete pouring, installation of the turbine generator, and the internal components of the reactor vessel (RV) of Unit 3, paving the way for the commencement of testing and commissioning.
Unit 3 is now fully connected to the Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company’s transmission grid, following the safe and successful energisation of the Unit’s standby auxiliary transformers and auxiliary power systems.
The completion of major construction work on Unit 3 comes approximately one year after the completion of the similar work on Unit 2, and two years after the completion of the same work on Unit 1.
“I am proud of the continued adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety displayed by our teams here in Barakah, which is setting the benchmark for efficiency in nuclear energy plant construction projects around the world,” said Mohammad Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of Enec.
“These construction milestones have been achieved as a result of our extensive collaboration with our prime Contractor and joint venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation, as well as sub-contractors such as the Hyundai-Samsung Joint Venture.”
The completion of this major work on Unit 3 allows for the commencement of a number of activities including preparations for commissioning of Unit 3’s mechanical and electrical systems and significant testing.
As of the end of May 2018, the construction of Unit 2 is more than 93 per cent complete, Unit 3 is more than 83 per cent, and Unit 4 is more than 72 per cent, while the overall construction completion is more than 89 per cent.
Unit 1 is undergoing commissioning and testing, prior to final regulatory reviews and receipt of the operating license from FANR.
All four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the UAE grid, and will save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing 3.2 million sedan cars from the roads.
