Emirates Nuclear Energy (ENEC) has begun work on the second nuclear reactor at the proposed $20bn power plant in Barakah, Al Gharbia, UAE.
In July, ENEC secured a license from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation of the UAE to construct two nuclear power reactor units at the Barakah plant.
Construction on the first nuclear reactor started in 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2017.
UAE permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Hamad Al Kaabi, told The National: "Given what happened in the past two years with Fukushima and the attention that the global community paid to nuclear safety, to be able during this time to continue not only on the original plan but also adapt lessons learnt as we go on, this in itself is quite an achievement."
The plant will feature four nuclear energy reactors, which will be constructed by Korea Electric Power by 2020.
After completion, the reactors are expected to produce a significant portion of the UAE’s energy needs and save about 12 million tonnes in carbon emissions per year.
The ENEC filed a construction license application for the third and fourth reactors earlier this year.
Image: The new plant is expected to save about 12 million tonnes in carbon emissions per year. Photo: Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
.gif)
