Second nuclear reactor unit approved at UAE's Baraka Plant

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has approved the operational license of the second nuclear reactor unit at the Baraka nuclear power plant to be valid for the next 60 years.

During a press conference, nuclear regulatory officials told that the unit would be tested before beginning production, which includes fuel loading and energy efficiency-boosting.

The second unit was given operational approval after the first unit was connected to the national grid. Hamad al-Kaabi, the permanent representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the UAE and deputy chairman of FANR, said that fuel loading and energy ascending were completed safely after the first unit was licensed in February last year.

Al-Kaabi said the first unit would start commercial operations by the end of this month, another major milestone in the UAE's journey to peaceful nuclear power production and use.

The nuclear power plant in the western area of Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) will have four operating units when it is completed and is expected to supply 25 per cent of the UAE's energy from its nuclear power plant.

The nuclear power plant is operated and maintained by the Nawah Energy Co., an Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation subsidiary. Both units were approved after more than 220 inspections, said Al-Kaabi.