The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has received approval for additional civil construction works on units 3 and 4 at its Barakah nuclear development in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) granted Enec approval for additional civil works to prepare for pouring safety concrete on the reactor containment building, auxiliary building, turbine generator building, component cooling water heat exchanger building and compound buildings.

FANR approval is required before ENEC can pour safety concrete for units 3 and 4. Enec submitted an application for approval for pouring the concrete on 1 March 2013, and the application is still currently under review.

Construction work on the Barakah units 1 and 2 are now 35 per cent complete, and according to Enec are on time and within budget. The first unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2017, and the second is due to commence commercial operations in 2018, pending regulatory approvals. Enec will apply for operating licences for units 1 and 2 in 2015.

Enec awarded a South Korean consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) a $20bn contract to build four reactors in 2009.