Timeline: UAE nuclear development

The UAE has kicked off a civilian nuclear power programme with the award to a South Korean consortium of a $40 billion contract to build and jointly operate for 60 years a fleet of nuclear reactors.

Here is a timeline on the UAE's nuclear programme:

1995: signs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

2003: signs IAEA agreement on nuclear safeguards.

2003: signs IAEA convention on physical protection of nuclear material.

2006: six members of Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates) commission study on peaceful use of nuclear energy.

2007: GCC agrees with IAEA to cooperate on feasibility study for a regional nuclear power and desalination plan.

2008: publishes white paper on nuclear energy;

brings in international nuclear experts to start work to establish main nuclear bodies, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

2009, July: bids received from three consortia shortlisted for contract to build fleet of nuclear reactors.

October 4: UAE approves federal legislation establishing FANR.

December 16: US-UAE nuclear cooperation deal comes into force. Government-to-government deals.

December 23: Abu Dhabi announces formation of ENEC.

December 27: ENEC selects Korean consortium to build first fleet of four nuclear reactors.

Led by state-owned utility Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) {015760.KS}, the consortium also comprises Hyundai Engineering and Construction {000720.KS}, Samsung C&T Corp {000830.KS}, Doosan Heavy Industries {034020.KS}, and U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric, a unit of Japan's Toshiba Corp {6502.T}.

2012: plans to begin construction of first nuclear reactor.

2017: first reactor due to start supplying power to the national grid.

2020: All four reactors in first fleet due for completion.

Beyond 2020: UAE expects to order more reactors to help meet rapidly rising power demand.