The UAE's nuclear programme

07 August 2014

Four nuclear reactors are being built in the Baraka area of Abu Dhabi, with the first due onstream in 2017

Programme

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) is currently developing a 5.6GW Nuclear Power Plant at Baraka in the western region of Abu Dhabi.

The Baraka plant will consist of four reactors, each of which will produce 1.4GW when commissioned.

The nuclear project is being developed to meet rapidly rising demand for electricity in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates. Since 2008, the emirate has consistently recorded growth of more than 10 per cent a year, reaching a decade high of 13.9 per cent in 2011 as peak demand hit 7,683MW. The emirate recorded a 6 per cent rise in peak demand for electricity in 2013, with demand reaching 11,243MW. With peak demand forecasted to reach 20,601MW by 2020, the Baraka project forms a vital part of Abu Dhabi’s power plans.

Dubai is also planning to utilise nuclear power, and in the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 the emirate set out a target of supplying 12 per cent of the emirate’s power generation by nuclear energy. The target is part of Dubai’s efforts to diversify its energy resources, with well over 90 per cent of its power currently provided by gas generation facilities.

Dubai has not officially revealed its plans to realise its nuclear target. However, in March 2014, Ahmed Butti al-Muhairi, secretary-general of the emirate’s Supreme Council of Energy, was reported as stating Dubai would not be building its own nuclear power capacity, but would instead receive power from the under-construction Baraka plant in Abu Dhabi.

Status

The first reactor at the Baraka scheme is scheduled to come online in 2017, with the remaining three planned for completion in 2020. Site work began in 2010. Also in July 2012, Enec received the construction licence for Baraka Units 1&2 from Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAE’s nuclear regulator. Following this, Enec was able to begin the pouring of first safety related concrete for the first reactor was poured.

In the first quarter of 2014, construction work on the Baraka units 1 and 2 were 35 per cent complete. Enec will apply for operating licences for units 1 and 2 in 2015.

 In the first quarter of 2014, ENEC was granted approval by FANR for additional civil works and application for pouring the safety concrete for units 3 and 4 is still under review, with the application having been submitted in March 2013.

Abu Dhabi has decided against domestic enrichment of nuclear fuel, and has agreed to buy from foreign sources.

In August 2012, Enec signed agreements worth $3bn with six companies for the supply of uranium to cover its nuclear power plant’s first 15 years of operations. The US’ ConverDyn has been selected to provide conversion services, Canada’s Uranium One will provide natural uranium, the UK’s Urenco is to provide enrichment services and UK-headquartered Rio Tinto will provide natural uranium.

Russia’s Tenex will supply uranium concentrates, conversion services and enrichment services. France’s Areva will provide uranium concentrates, conversion services and enrichment services.

Entities

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec): The body was created in December 2009 to oversee the development of the UAE’s nuclear programme.

Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation (FANR): The independent nuclear energy industry regulator, established in 2009.

International Advisory Board (IAB): Set up in 2010 to provide independent assessment of the UAE’s nuclear programme, it reports to the UAE Presidential Affairs Ministry. IAB consists of nine appointed members, all of which are international experts in various sectors of nuclear power, from nuclear scientists to regulatory affairs.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco): In late 2009, a consortium led by Kepco was awarded a $20bn contract to build the first four reactors at the Baraka nuclear scheme. Under the agreement, Kepco also has the right to hold shares in the nuclear project.

Challenges

Workforce: Following the beginning of construction of the first nuclear plant, providing a skilled workforce to operate nuclear facilities will be the main challenge for the UAE’s programme. Due to the lack of a regional supply chain of specialised workforce for nuclear power, attracting and training up a capable workforce will provide a stern challenge.

Execution: While Enec reports that construction is going to plan and the first reactor will be ready to come online in 2017, due to the plant being a test case for Abu Dhabi and the region many within the industry are sceptical to whether this can be achieved. With no previous experience in nuclear power, the emirate will need to ensure it can achieve all of the relevant approvals in addition to meeting construction deadlines.

 

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