Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant receives continued support of UAE leadership

ABU DHABI, 8th May, 2017 (WAM) -- The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the UAE's first nuclear energy plant currently being developed in the Al Dhafra region in Abu Dhabi, has received considerable attention and support by the wise leadership of the UAE. This support is reflected in the various site visits by UAE leaders and officials since the launch of the project. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and members of the Cabinet of Ministers conducted an inspection of the construction site in April 2017. The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, held a session at the project site, where discussions on the latest developments in the UAE's nuclear energy programme occurred. The site tours emphasise the importance of the UAE's Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme, which aims to efficiently meet the energy needs of the country, and promote its economic and social development, as well as ensure its long-term sustainability. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, is leading the development of the UAE's nuclear energy programme. Upon completion of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, ENEC expects the plant to produce nearly a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs. In 2002, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inspected the site with Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea. During the visit, the two parties were briefed on ENEC's achievements and progress on the construction of two reactor units. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant also received H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, accompanied by Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance. In May 2014, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan saw the arrival of the reactor container to the first nuclear plant, in the presence of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The parties were briefed on the advanced safety standards and the developments taking place in the 'Energy Pioneers Programme', which aims to develop a pipeline of Emirati talent as the nuclear energy programme grows, along with ENEC's efforts to raise awareness on peaceful nuclear energy In February 2017, the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant received H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where he was briefed on the project's latest developments. According to ENEC, as of January 2017, the overall construction completion rate for the four reactor units is at 78 percent. http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302612569