ID :
189042
Thu, 06/16/2011 - 13:57
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/189042
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UAE mulls N-reactor changes
Abu Dhabi, June 16, 2011 (WAM) - The UAE’s nuclear regulator said there could be changes to the design and location of the country’s proposed nuclear reactors to ensure safety following Japan’s nuclear disaster. Japan’s struggle to contain radiation leaks at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following an earthquake and tsunami on March 11 has prompted other countries with nuclear reactors and those planning to build them to rethink safety issues.
“Everything is on track. We asked Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) and its Korean partners to look at the design and siting in light of the Fukushima accident and see what can be learned from that,” John Loy, director of radiation and safety department at the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday.
He added any changes would not affect the project’s timeline.
The FANR had hosted a second training course in Madina Zayed in the Western Region for UAE entities that would play a key role in any response to a nuclear or radiological emergency, WAM reported on Wednesday.
The course, conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), follows IAEA standards, which form the basis for many nations’ emergency response systems.
“Several incidents across the world have shown that a response to a nuclear or radiological emergency involves the operator, local authorities, the government, defence forces and many other entities,” Loy pointed out.
“No single agency can claim to be the only organisation with this competence,” he added.
The UAE expects to start its first nuclear power plant in 2017, and hopes nuclear energy to eventually supply 25 per cent of its power.
Earlier this year, the regulator requested ENEC to take into consideration events in Japan in a review of the project. An ENEC task force is looking into this and the results will be ready by the end of the year, Loy said.
Another element that FANR requested ENEC to look into is how to deal with extended power loss if the reactors are affected once they begin operating, he added. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
“Everything is on track. We asked Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp (ENEC) and its Korean partners to look at the design and siting in light of the Fukushima accident and see what can be learned from that,” John Loy, director of radiation and safety department at the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday.
He added any changes would not affect the project’s timeline.
The FANR had hosted a second training course in Madina Zayed in the Western Region for UAE entities that would play a key role in any response to a nuclear or radiological emergency, WAM reported on Wednesday.
The course, conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), follows IAEA standards, which form the basis for many nations’ emergency response systems.
“Several incidents across the world have shown that a response to a nuclear or radiological emergency involves the operator, local authorities, the government, defence forces and many other entities,” Loy pointed out.
“No single agency can claim to be the only organisation with this competence,” he added.
The UAE expects to start its first nuclear power plant in 2017, and hopes nuclear energy to eventually supply 25 per cent of its power.
Earlier this year, the regulator requested ENEC to take into consideration events in Japan in a review of the project. An ENEC task force is looking into this and the results will be ready by the end of the year, Loy said.
Another element that FANR requested ENEC to look into is how to deal with extended power loss if the reactors are affected once they begin operating, he added. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
