3 May (NucNet): The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has awarded more than one billion US dollars (760 million euros) in contracts to more than 180 companies in the United Arab Emirates since it was established to oversee the construction of the UAE’s first nuclear plant.
In a keynote speech at the Abu Dhabi Quality Forum, ENEC chief executive officer Mohamed Al Hammadi said the contracts have been awarded over the past three years through collaboration between ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), as part of its effort to “support and develop local industry”.
The contracts cover a range of products and services including marine dredging, steel supply, metals and cables, housing projects and site construction activities, he said.
“The UAE government chose to pursue nuclear energy not only because it promises a safe, clean, reliable and efficient source of electricity, but also because if offers the growth and opportunity that a new, high-technology industry provides,” Mr Al Hammadi said.
“In just a few years, we are already seeing a burgeoning nuclear industry supply chain here in the UAE.”
A Kepco-led consortium will supply four APR-1400 reactors for the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant. Barakah-1 and -2 are scheduled to be commissioned by 2017 and 2018 respectively. A third unit is scheduled to be commissioned in 2019 and a fourth in 2020.
Construction work on the first two units is on schedule, ENEC said. First safety concrete was poured for Unit 1 in July 2012 and extensive preparatory work is under way on Unit 2 ahead of the first safety concrete pouring, scheduled to take place before the end of June 2013.
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