76% of UAE’s nuclear regulation workforce comprises Emiratis

Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in Abu Dhabi has announced that it currently employs 254 staff members, of whom 76 per cent are Emiratis, including women who make up 45 per cent of the workforce.

Making this disclosure at a media briefing on Tuesday, Christer Viktorsson, Director General of FANR, said 47 safety inspections were conducted at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in 2024, with 267 reactor operators and one senior reactor operator being approved for the plant.

He emphasised that the authority remains committed to overseeing the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant by conducting comprehensive inspections covering refueling, maintenance, power rise testing, and other operational aspects. He highlighted that with the full commercial operation of all four units, the UAE has become a model for new countries seeking to establish nuclear energy programmes.

He said: “The authority has approved 267 reactor operators and a senior reactor operator at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with our licensing requirements, ensuring their readiness and competency in plant operations.”

He also announced the launch of a Smart Nuclear Safety Dashboard System in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre which provides real-time data on environmental conditions surrounding the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. the system can provide data on sea levels, land and sea surface temperatures and earthquake activity.

FANR continued its mission last year to regulate radioactive sources and nuclear material security by conducting:

• 58 regulatory inspections of facilities using radioactive materials,

• 195 inspections of vehicles transporting radioactive sources, and

• Seven inspections related to the security of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, FANR also launched the National Programme for the Qualification of Workers in Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies, aiming to train 3,000 emergency responders across all relevant sectors in the UAE.

FANR continued its regulatory functions by licensing and inspecting radiation-related facilities, conducting 210 inspections across medical and non-medical establishments, issuing 1,090 licenses, and approving over 1,600 import and export permits.

The UAE has also joined 43 countries in the IAEA’s Response and Assistance Network (RANET), reaffirming its readiness to provide international support during nuclear or radiological emergencies.

“As part of our efforts to build Emirati expertise, we launched the Emirates Nuclear and Radiological Academy, a digital platform aligned with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to position the country as a global hub for the new economy,” Viktorsson stated.

He also highlighted FANR’s ongoing efforts to support 84 inspectors through its Inspector Qualification Program.