Barakah's units Three and Four are now connected to the national electricity grid. Courtesy Enec
Barakah's units Three and Four are now connected to the national electricity grid. Courtesy Enec
Barakah's units Three and Four are now connected to the national electricity grid. Courtesy Enec
Barakah's units Three and Four are now connected to the national electricity grid. Courtesy Enec

UAE's first nuclear power plant marks 'significant milestone' in construction


James Langton
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE's first nuclear power plant has announced that the final two of its four reactors are now connected to the country’s electricity grid.

The development is described as a “significant milestone” by Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ahead of the nuclear plant’s activation expected later this year.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will have four reactors, or units, when fully operational. Connecting Units Three and Four to the grid will allow the next stage of testing and the completion of auxiliary buildings on the site, which is in the Western Region near Ruwais.

Enec said it has also initiated a process known as hot function testing on Unit Two, which prepares the reactor for the loading of its uranium fuel rods.

These tests have already been completed on Unit One, which will be the first reactor to begin generating electricity after the current phase of commissioning and testing.

Mohammed Al Hammadi, chief executive of Enec said, “I am proud of the continued adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety displayed by our teams here in Barakah, the largest nuclear construction site in the world.

“Their commitment and dedication is a key factor in the continued construction of this strategic project that will power the growth of the UAE, and which is now more than 85 per cent complete."

Once fully operational, the Barakah power plant is expected to produce a quarter of the UAE’s energy as well as save 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

Nick's journey in numbers

Countries so far: 85

Flights: 149

Steps: 3.78 million

Calories: 220,000

Floors climbed: 2,000

Donations: GPB37,300

Prostate checks: 5

Blisters: 15

Bumps on the head: 2

Dog bites: 1

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)

Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)

ENGLAND TEAM

England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph