Significant milestones achieved in construction of Unit 3 at Barakah

ABU DHABI, 10th July, 2018 (WAM) -- The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, has achieved a series of significant milestones in the construction of Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi. In a press statement, ENEC announced the successful completion of major construction works including major concrete pouring, installation of the Turbine Generator, and the internal components of the Reactor Vessel, RV, of Unit 3, paving the way for the commencement of testing and commissioning. With the accomplishment of these milestones, construction crews will begin transitioning from Unit 3 to Unit 4, taking with them the lessons learned during their construction of Units 1, 2 and 3, the statement added. The completion of major construction work on Unit 3 comes approximately one year after the completion of the similar work on Unit 2, and two years after the completion of the same work on Unit 1 and demonstrates the benefits of building four identical Units at the same time. "I am proud of the continued adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety displayed by our teams here in Barakah, which is setting the benchmark for efficiency in nuclear energy plant construction projects around the world," said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC. "These construction milestones have been achieved as a result of our extensive collaboration with our Prime Contractor and Joint Venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO, as well as sub-contractors such as the Hyundai-Samsung Joint Venture, HSJV." In addition to completing major construction and concrete work, Unit 3 is now fully connected to the Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company’s, TRANSCO, transmission grid, following the safe and successful energisation of the Unit’s Standby Auxiliary Transformers and Auxiliary Power Systems. The completion of this major work on Unit 3 allows for the commencement of a number of activities including preparations for commissioning of Unit 3’s mechanical and electrical systems and significant testing. During the year 2017, ENEC and KEPCO have achieved a series of other construction milestones on the units of the Barakah Plant. The Main Power Transformer, MTR, Excitation Transformer and Unit Auxiliary Power Transformers, UAT, at Unit 2 were energised, and the Reactor Containment Liner Plate Rings, Reactor Vessel, Steam Generators and Condenser were installed on Unit 4. Meanwhile, testing and commissioning activities are progressing on Units 1 and 2. The project at Barakah is progressing steadily; as of the end of May 2018, the construction completion of Unit 2 is more than 93 percent, Unit 3 is more than 83 percent, and Unit 4 is more than 72 percent, while the overall construction completion is more than 89 percent. The construction of Unit 1 has been completed in accordance with the highest global standards of quality and safety, and it is currently undergoing commissioning and testing, prior to the final regulatory reviews and receipt of the Operating License from FANR. 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.