Barakah plant’s unit 3 undergoes critical test

Overall work on nuclear reactors is now 81% completed, official says

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has successfully completed Cold Hydrostatic Testing (CHT) at Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, with the nuclear reactor now 81 per cent completed.

As a part of CHT, the pressure inside Unit 3’s systems was increased to 25 per cent above what will be the normal operating pressure, demonstrating the reactor’s capabilities. “The successful completion of the CHT ensures that Unit 3’s coolant systems and high-pressure components meet the highest international standards of quality and safety, as per the regulations of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation,” said Mohammad Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of ENEC.

“I am proud of the progress being made at Barakah, and the completion of these tests approximately one year after the completion of the same testing on Unit 2 demonstrates the experience we have gained from building four identical units at the same time,” he added.

“Step by step, we are moving closer to achieving our goal of supplying the UAE with clean and reliable electricity to power its future growth and development, while maintaining our track record of safety and quality,” Al Hammadi said.

Throughout the testing process, inspection teams from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), along with ENEC and Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) commissioning oversight and quality surveillance personnel, performed detailed system inspections, verifying no component and piping system leakage.

As a part of the tests, the pressure inside Unit 3’s systems was increased to 25 per cent above the normal operating pressure.

Construction works

Earlier this year, ENEC and KEPCO successfully completed all major construction, including major concrete pouring, installation of the turbine generator and the internal components of the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 3, which paved the way for the commencement of testing and commissioning.

The overall progress rate of Units 1 to 4 is more than 91 per cent complete. All four units will deliver clean, reliable and efficient electricity to the UAE grid, and prevent the release of more than 21 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.