Reaching another milestone in the development of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has successfully completed the Reactor Containment Building (RCB) dome for Unit 4, the final unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi. The Unit’s Reactor Coolant Loop (RCL) pipe welding, and the setting of key equipment have also been completed.
The completion of Unit 4’s dome structure signifies the majority completion of the main construction activities at the Barakah Plant. This is a key milestone in the overall development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and the delivery of safe, clean and reliable electricity to the UAE grid.
The dome is the final structural component of the RCB, which now measures around 70 meters in height. The RCB houses the nuclear Reactor Vessel (RV), Steam Generators and other major components. Built out of concrete and heavily reinforced steel, RCBs are ranked among the strongest structures in the world. The successful and efficient completion of welding of the RCL, which plays a key role in transferring heat from the Reactor Vessel (RV) to the Steam Generators, is another key step towards the start of major testing for the systems of Unit 4.
Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC Chief Executive Officer, said: “These achievements highlight the significant progress being made in both the construction of Unit 4 as well as the journey towards the overall completion of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. Construction of last unit of the plant commenced in 2015, and it continues to benefit from the lessons learned and experience gained by the teams responsible for the construction of the other three units. With construction completion for Unit 4 currently standing at 67%, the next phase for the unit will be to start the transition from construction to testing and commissioning.”
“ENEC is committed to delivering clean, safe and efficient electricity through peaceful nuclear energy to the UAE, in adherence to the highest international standards of quality and safety. These recent milestones are the result of the exceptional partnership between ENEC and its Prime Contractor and Joint Venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), in combination with the dedication and expertise of our UAE Nationals and international experts,” added Eng. Al Hammadi.
In addition to the completion of the RCB dome structure and RCL welding, a significant amount of major equipment setting has been safely and successfully completed at Barakah Unit 4. Construction crews continue to ensure that the highest standards of nuclear quality are implemented for Unit 4, in the same way as for Units 1 to 3.
The completion of the final dome structure and additional work on Unit 4 is indicative of the steady and continuous progress being made at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which, with the achievement of these recent milestones, is more than 87 % complete. Unit 4 alone is more than 67 % complete, while Units 3 and 2 are 81% and 92% respectively. The construction of the plant’s first Unit has been safely completed and the Unit is currently undergoing a comprehensive review in preparation for operations.
Since its inception in 2009, ENEC has focused on the safe delivery of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. All four units will deliver clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the UAE grid, and will save up to 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing 3.2 million sedan cars from the roads.