Abu Dhabi: Construction work at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant continues to progress towards completion, representatives of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Cooperation (ENEC) said at a press briefing on Monday.
Located in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi, the nuclear power plants will have four nuclear reactors, providing the UAE with a new source of electricity to meet rising energy demands.
ENEC representatives said that 95 per cent work at Unit 1 reactor has been completed, followed by 84 per cent Unit 2, 74 per cent at Unit 3 and 51 per cent at Unit 4. All four reactors after completion by 2020 will generate up to 5,600 megawatts of electricity.
Concerning the nuclear site’s safety, the representatives said that all safety aspects have been taken into account, from the location of the site, to the design and building of the reactors which were made to suit the UAE’s climate and requirements.
The ENEC representatives said that over 60 per cent of their workforce at the nuclear plant were made up of Emirati nationals, and that 20 per cent of the workforce comprised of females.
The ENEC representatives said that the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant benefited the local economy, with contracts worth $3 billion (Dh11 billion) awarded to more than 1,400 local companies.
