UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant gets final reactor vessel

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has successfully completed the installation of steam generators and reactor vessel (RV) at Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

The newly installed steam generators and RV are the last to be fitted at the plant, ENEC said in a statement.

To commemorate the milestone, ENEC hosted a ceremony and a tour of the site attended by HE Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, chairman of the Executive Committee Office and member of the Executive Council, who led a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Executive Council (GSEC).

The GSEC delegation was hosted by HE Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the board of directors of ENEC; Eng Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC; and Ahn Choong Yong, chairman of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

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Al Zaabi commented: “Nuclear energy plays a strategic role for the future of our nation, enabling economic and industrial growth, as well as careers in nuclear energy for Emirati youth. It will also support in securing the energy sector by diversifying energy sources to meet the rapid growth of the national economy.”

Meanwhile, Al Hammadi commented: “These achievements are showcasing our commitment to delivering a world-class nuclear energy program, from construction through to operations.

"The successful installation of the final reactor vessel and steam generators for the Barakah Plant is testament to the dedication of our teams towards the previous milestones and for the upcoming plans.”

ENEC noted that the installation of the RV represents a critical step in the development of the plant, as it will contain the controlled nuclear reaction necessary to generate electricity, and is one of the defence-in-depth barriers that ensure the safety of nuclear energy plants. It weighs over 500t and measures almost 15m in height. Steam generators, on the other hand, are said to have the same length as tennis courts.

WATCH: Construction progress at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

According to ENEC, construction is progressing steadily at the plant, with Unit 4 now more than 52% complete, while Unit 1 is at more than 96%; Unit 2 at more than 85%; and Unit 3 at more than 75%. Overall, the plant is more than 82% complete, added ENEC.

Presently the largest single-site, under-construction nuclear energy project in the world, Barakah is expected to supply 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs once it becomes fully operational.