Arab world's first nuclear reactor delayed for 2019 due to tight schedule

The USD 24.4 billion Barakah power plant is the world’s largest nuclear project under construction and will be the first in the Arab world.


Reuters | Updated: 23-03-2018 13:40 IST | Created: 23-03-2018 13:31 IST
Arab world's first nuclear reactor delayed for 2019 due to tight schedule
This country had no nuclear culture before and it now has to develop an entire nuclear economy around the reactor project. (Image credit: Wikipedia)
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  • Saudi Arabia

The opening of the United Arab Emirates’ first nuclear reactor, has been pushed back to 2019 due to training delays, two sources told Reuters.

The USD 24.4 billion Barakah power plant is the world’s largest nuclear project under construction and will be the first in the Arab world.

“The planning has slipped and the schedule is tight... they have told people it will be 2019,” one source said regarding the start-up.

The first of four reactors being built by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) was completed last year and set to start operations.

UAE regulator Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has refused to give an operating license to Nawah, the joint venture between KEPCO and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) which will operate the plant.

A second source said the approximately 1,800 staff Nawah has recruited to operate reactors one and two lack nuclear experience and expertise, adding that the UAE is now focusing on getting the four reactors operational by May 2020.

“This country had no nuclear culture before and it now has to develop an entire nuclear economy around the reactor project. That takes time,” the first source said.

A FANR spokesman said the regulator had nothing to add to its statement in January that it is reviewing Nawah’s license application.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit UAE and will attend a ceremony for the first reactor on March 26.

“The completion ceremony of reactor 1 will be held. However, it is still not ready to start up and it is likely to be delayed a year,” a second source said.

ENEC last month appointed Peter Dietrich, an executive from US utility Southern California Edison, as its chief nuclear officer.

“Mr. Dietrich will be responsible for leadership programs to support the next generation of Emirati nuclear professionals that will be required to operate the Barakah plant,” ENEC said.

The UAE will be the first new country to acquire nuclear power in more than two decades.

Bangladesh, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are preparing to follow suit and the World Nuclear Association estimates that nuclear power is planned in over 20 countries which do not currently have it.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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