Reactor dome in place at UAE nuclear plant

Construction of the UAE's first nuclear energy plant passed a key milestone this week after workers completed building the first reactor's concrete dome roof.

Workers celebrate the completion of the concrete dome for the Unit 1 Reactor Containment Building in Barakah. WAM

Construction of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant passed a key milestone this week after workers completed building the reactor’s concrete dome.

The dome is the final structural component of the 70-metre super-strong building housing the reactor, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said.

“We are proud to maintain our track record of achieving key construction milestones safely and on time,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, the chief executive of Enec. “The RCB [reactor containment building] is a critical structure in the plant’s safety and security. The construction of this structure has involved thousands of people who have all shown their commitment to the highest standards of quality and safety at all times.”

The dome, which measures 51.4 metres across, 24 metres tall and weighs about 9,000 tonnes, took five months to build.

The UAE is building four units in an area west of Abu Dhabi to generate 25 per cent of its power from nuclear energy by 2020 as it aims to diversify its energy mix to lower dependence on fossil fuels.

Enec said that construction work on the reactor was now more than 60 per cent complete and that it was on track to commence commercial operations in 2017, pending further regulatory approvals.

A second reactor, known as Unit 2, is expected to begin operations in 2018. A third and fourth reactor are scheduled to power up in 2019 and 2020.

In September, Enec started to pour the first safety concrete for Unit 3.

In 2009, the UAE awarded the state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) the US$20 billion construction contract to build the four nuclear units.

In 2012, Enec signed a $3bn fuel contract with six companies to source uranium for 15 years, starting in 2017. Companies that may provide the uranium include France’s Areva, Russia’s Tenex, Canada’s Uranium One, the United Kingdom’s Urenco and ConverDyn of the United States.

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