UAE a role model in the field of clean energy, says head of global nuclear body

Unit 1 at Barakah nuclear plant was successfully switched on for the first time on Saturday

Some of the Emirati staff behind the nuclear project, which has been more than a decade in the making. All photos courtesy Fanr

The UAE's nuclear regulator issued an operating licence for the first reactor at Barakah in February 2020

Delivering the project has been a feat of engineering. As many as 18,000 people worked on the project at the height of construction.

Fifty-three Emiratis have recently been certified as senior reactor operators and many more will be needed in coming years

There is growing interest among new Emirati graduates to enter the nuclear training programmes

Nuclear plays a significant part in targets to reduce gas-fired power generation to 38 per cent by 2050, along with renewable energy from solar and some clean coal.

“The nuclear programme has huge upfront costs to provide a certain level of security," Hamad Al Kaabi said. "But once you make that investment in the construction of the plant, the operation and fuel cost is very minimal compared to the overall cost.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed previously said Barakah is a "new chapter in our journey for the development of peaceful nuclear energy"

"As we prepare for the next 50 years to safeguard our needs, our biggest strength is national talent," Sheikh Mohamed said.

The four huge reactors at Barakah

Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Christer Viktorsson, director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, speak about the first reactor to be licensed in February. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

The UAE has become a role model in the field of clean energy after it activated the Barakah nuclear plant, said the head of a global nuclear body.

Agneta Rising, director general of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), praised the Emirates after it successfully switched on one of the reactors at the Barakah plant.

On Saturday, the UAE said it had loaded nuclear fuel packages, run comprehensive tests and started operations at Unit 1 at the facility in Abu Dhabi.

Commercial operations of the reactor are expected to begin later this year, which will help power businesses and homes across the nation with clean energy.

Ms Rising said the successful first stage of producing nuclear energy in the UAE set an example for other countries to build a sustainable future.

“Other countries will look to the UAE and learn from their foresightedness to invest in nuclear [energy] to build their sustainable infrastructure and provide highly skilled jobs for decades to come," she said.

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"Nuclear technology must play a much greater role if we are to meet the world’s growing demand for clean energy. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will provide reliable and sustainable low-carbon electricity that will power homes and drive economic growth.

"I congratulate all those involved, their professionalism and dedication in bringing this project to the beginning of its operations, especially during these difficult times of the global coronavirus.

“The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is a most welcome contribution to delivering the global nuclear industry’s target of 1,000 GWe of new nuclear build by 2050."

The UAE’s goal is to operate four nuclear power plants that will provide one quarter of the country's energy needs.

Once the unit is connected to the grid, the nuclear operators will carry out continuous tests as they gradually raise the power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing.

After the process is completed, over the course of a number of months, the plant will deliver abundant baseload electricity at full capacity to power the growth of the UAE for decades to come, reported state news agency Wam.