The UAE government envisions to use nuclear power as the main source for generating non-hydrocarbon based electricity. It signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States in 2009 and it is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) is the regulatory body for the nuclear sector in the UAE.
Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) is the regulatory body for the nuclear sector in the UAE. One of its main responsibilities is to develop a nuclear regulatory framework for the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants in the UAE, which is in line with the safety standards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) and other internationally recognised regulatory practices.
FANR provides licensing services to customers using radioactive sources. It also issues import and export permits for radiation sources and nuclear materials.
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The UAE government envisions to use nuclear power as the main source for generating non-hydrocarbon based electricity. The UAE instituted a comprehensive civil nuclear energy programme under the direct supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In 2008, the UAE published its policy on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The policy is built on the most exacting standards of safety, transparency and security, making the UAE, a role model for nuclear energy development worldwide.
To meet the ambitious milestones set by the UAE's nuclear energy policy, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) was established in 2009.
Since 2012, the UAE has reached agreements with at least three countries (Argentina, Japan and Russia) on cooperation in the nuclear power sector. In addition, the UAE signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States in 2009 and it is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The UAE is currently building four units at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and the project’s overall completion rate as of June 2022 is more than 97 per cent. The construction of the plant commenced in July 2012.
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located in Al Dhafra of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, approximately 53 km west-southwest of the city of Ruwais. When all four units of the plant start operating commercially, the plant will produce up to 25 per cent of the country's electricity requirements. It will also prevent the release of 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year; this is equivalent to the removal of 3.2 million cars from the UAE’s roads annually.
The completion rate of the individual units are as follows:
Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
On 17 February 2020, FANR issued the operating license for Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to the Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) subsidiary responsible for operation of the nuclear power plant located in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
On 1 August 2020, Nawah Energy Company ‘Nawah’, successfully started Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy plant.
On 19 August 2020, Nawah completed connecting the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE grid, using nuclear energy to produce the first megawatt of clean and environment-friendly electricity.
Unit 2 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
On 9 March 2021, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 2 of the plant.
Nawah will undertake a period of commissioning to prepare for the commercial operation and FANR will conduct around-the-clock inspections to ensure the fuel Load and power accession processes are completed according to regulatory requirements.
Unit 3 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
On 17 June 2022, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 3 of the plant.
Read more about Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.
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