28 May (NucNet): First safety concrete has been poured for Unit 2 of the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear plant, marking the official start of construction.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) said in a statement today that construction of the UAE’s second nuclear reactor will take five years, with the unit scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2018, “pending further regulatory approvals”.
ENEC will apply to the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) for an operating licence for Barakah-1 and Barakah-2 in 2015 and recently submitted the construction licence application for Units 3 and 4 at the plant, in the western region of Abu Dhabi.
ENEC said it plans to have all four Barakah units in commercial operation by 2020.
In December 2009, South Korean reactor vendor Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco) won a tender contract to build the four APR-1400 units.
In March 2013, ENEC said construction work on the first two units was on schedule. First safety concrete was poured for Unit 1 in July 2012.
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