25 Apr (NucNet): A simulator training centre has been opened at the site of the United Arab Emirates’ first nuclear power station, which is under construction at Barakah, in the western region of Abu Dhabi.
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said the two APR1400 simulators were developed partly by the Barakah nuclear station’s primary contractor, Korea Electric Power Corporation. They are the first of their kind in the Middle East and will help prepare reactor operational staff and provide a facility for continuous training.
Enec is building four APR1400 units at Barakah with the first scheduled for completion in 2017 and the second in 2018.
Enec said Units 1 and 2 are now more than 40 percent complete and are on time and within budget. Enec will apply for an operating licence for the units in 2015.
The company has recently received approval for additional civil works relating to Barakah-3 and -4, which it said are on schedule to enter commercial operations in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
