Nuclear experts support improvement work in review of Barakah power plant
International Atomic Energy Agency’s report moves opening of the station a step closer
The UAE is close to completing the nuclear power infrastructure needed to start the Barakah plant, international atomic energy experts said.
A 10-person team from the International Atomic Energy Agency has been in the country since June 24, conducting an “integrated nuclear infrastructure review”. The results were announced yesterday.
The team assessed areas for improvement across 19 areas, including the electrical grid, emergency planning, nuclear security, radioactive waste management and environmental protection.
“The visit is not a rubber stamp, but supports UAE efforts,” said Milko Kovachev, head of the IAEA nuclear infrastructure development section, who led the team.
“We were pleased to see the status at the moment and, more importantly, to see clear plans to go forward.”
It is not an official audit, but the team made recommendations including three on radioactive waste, long-term sustainability and operational readiness for the UAE’s peaceful nuclear programme, which regulators said they would implement.
The Barakah plant in Al Dhafra is a joint venture between Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Kepco, the Korean Electric Power Company. It is being run by the Nawah Energy Company, which cannot begin operations until it has received a licence from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
In May, it was announced that the first reactor would not begin generating electricity until 2019 or 2020 as work continues. It is envisaged that its four reactors will eventually generate 25 per cent of the country’s energy.
On nuclear waste, meanwhile, the team said the UAE should approve the draft 2016 policy to enshrine its commitment to responsible radioactive waste and the management of spent fuel.
Turning to operational readiness, it said Nawah needed to complete training and certification of all key personnel, implement preparations for maintenance before the plant begins operating and that Enec maintains its oversight role during construction of units 3 and 4. Finally, the team advised that the UAE ensures
the long-term sustainability of the nuclear power programme. Establishing a research and development programme is one way of doing this, it said.
Raoul Awad, deputy director general of operations at the federal authority, said the team’s review had validated its work and all the recommendations would be implemented. “They will be completed before the start of the reactor,” he told The National.
On the tentative opening date – late next year or early 2020 – Mr Awad said his organisation never prioritised the schedule over the safety and security of the facility.
“This is the main mantra of any good regulator. But I don’t see any reason to doubt that will be the right schedule.”
The IAEA team also praised the self-assessment carried out by Nawah and development of a strong engineering unit within the company.
The IAEA work is done in three phases. The first phase involves pre-project activities, while the second involves preparatory work for the contracting and construction of a nuclear energy plant. The UAE was evaluated by the IAEA mission team on these two phases in 2011.
The third and final phase involves activities to implement the first nuclear energy plant.
Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE’s permanent representative at the IAEA, said progress made by the UAE’s nuclear energy programme was a result of the collaboration with a network of international organisations.
“The successful conclusion of the phase three ... mission is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to the highest international standards of safety, security and transparency as we approach the commissioning of the nation’s first nuclear energy plant.”
Construction of the US$25 billion (Dh91.8bn) nuclear plant began in 2011.
We were pleased to see the status and, more importantly, to see clear plans to go forward MILKO KOVACHEV Head of IAEA nuclear infrastructure development section