The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has selected the UK’s Norton Rose as legal adviser to work on the region’s first nuclear power project.

The scheme will comprise four nuclear reactors to be built at a site in the Abu Dhabi’s Western Region.

The scheme will comprise four nuclear reactors to be built at a site in the Abu Dhabi’s Western Region

Enec filed applications in April to build the project at its preferred site at Baraka on the coast, near the Saudi Arabian border.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation approved two permits relating to Enec’s proposed site for the project in July.  

The atomic energy body evaluated 10 sites across the UAE and then narrowed that group to a set of preferred and alternate sites, which were subject to further evaluation.

The preferred site, including an area set aside for temporary construction space, covers approximately 13 square kilometres.

The license allows Enec to conduct “works related to the construction of features of the overall facility, but not part of the civil nuclear power plants,” and “works for nuclear power plant structures not related to nuclear safety.” Enec must still receive a construction environmental permit in order to begin the civil work.

Enec is in late-stage negotiations with a bank to act as financial adviser and lending coordinator and is expected to make an appointment soon.

UK-based KPMG is also advising Enec on the project and Standard Chartered is working for the project’s contractor, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco).