UAE plans for safety

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Two United Arab Emirates (UAE) bodies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the development of off-site emergency plans for the country's first nuclear power plant.

The MoU is signed by Necma general manager Mohamed Al Romaithi and Enec CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi (Image: Necma)

The MoU between the National Energy Crisis Management Authority (Necma) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) establishes each organization's specific responsibilities for off-site emergency preparedness planning.

Necma was established in 2007 and is responsible for managing local and national crises, emergencies and disasters by coordinating all efforts by relevant parties. A key objective of the MoU with Enec is the safety and protection of the local population, environment and property in the event of a serious accident at the Barakah plant.

Necma general manager Mohamed Khalfan Matar Al Romaithi said the agreement would help to ensure that the Barakah plant adheres to the highest standards in safety.

His words were echoed by Enec CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi, who said that maintaining the highest international levels of safety and security was a top priority for the project. "That means being prepared for every possible scenario. Planning for emergencies is just one of the ways in which we ensure that the UAE's nuclear power program is among the safest in the world," he said.

In a $20 billion deal announced in December 2009, Enec selected a Korean consortium led by Kepco to build four APR-1400 reactors. All four units planned for Barakah, close to the border with Saudi Arabia, should be in operation by 2020. The first concrete for the initial unit was poured in mid-July.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News