The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant of Abu Dhabi updated the schedule for the start-up of its first peaceful nuclear energy reactor in the Arab world to the latest in 2020, according to Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the operator of the plant on Saturday.
'Nawah has completed a comprehensive operational readiness review to generate an updated schedule for the start-up of the first reactor,' the statement read.
'The results of Nawah's review forecast that the loading of nuclear fuel assemblies required to commence nuclear operations at Barakah unit 1 will occur between the end of 2019 and early 2020,' the statement said.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Joint Venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) recently completed the construction of unit 1.
'Nawah's commitment to meet the highest standards of quality and safety is the main driver for all our work,' Mark Reddemann, CEO of Nawah was quoted as saying.
He added 'As a result, our review relied on global nuclear standards to analyse the remaining work required for nuclear operations, and we are confident that this new projection for fuel load gives Nawah a nuclear-centric and conservative schedule to deliver nuclear operations in alignment with the highest standards of safety and quality.'
'Unit 1 is the pioneering nuclear energy reactor in the UAE and will set the benchmark for the three remaining units of the Barakah Plant and, possibly, for other nuclear energy projects in the Arab world,' Reddemann said.
Additionally, and as part of its preparations for operations, Nawah is also seeking independent assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) to ensure all aspects of the plant meet the highest international standards of nuclear quality and safety.
By Huseyin Erdogan
Anadolu Agency
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