Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and its subsidiary Nawah Energy Company has announced that an extensive operational readiness assessment has concluded that Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi is ready to start up. The assessment was performed by an international team of nuclear industry experts from the Atlanta Centre of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
The WANO Pre-start Up Review (PSUR) is a globally-recognised nuclear industry assessment which is conducted in line with the international industry standards set by WANO, of which ENEC and Nawah are both members.
WANO teams reviewed and examined numerous functional and cross-functional areas that are essential for the safe start-up and operation of the unit, ranging from operator performance and operations and maintenance, through to work management and emergency preparedness of the plant, during the assessment.
Commenting on the positive assessment results, Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO for ENEC, said: “The fact that our first unit and our team of experts successfully completed this international start-up assessment by WANO is a major milestone for the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme.”
“It provides international recognition that our plant, people and processes meet international start up standards and that the Barakah plant fully aligns to the commitments made in 2008 by the Nation of complete operational transparency, and the pursuit of the highest standards of safety, quality and security.”
“We take this achievement with great responsibility while we continue to support Nawah in obtaining regulatory approval from FANR to safely and gradually commence producing clean, safe and reliable electricity to power the growth of the UAE for the next 60 years,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mark Reddemann, CEO for Nawah, said: “Successfully completing WANO’s PSUR of Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is a testament to our commitment to the highest national and international regulations and standards.”
“As we progress towards the secure and safety-led start-up of Unit 1, we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we demonstrate our readiness to receive the Operating License from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, as we work to pursue the highest standards of operational excellence,” he concluded.
Nawah is concluding its final requirements to demonstrate operational readiness in preparation to receiving the Operating License from FANR, prior to commencing the loading of the first fuel assemblies safely into Unit 1 of the Barakah plant.
