ABU DHABI: Since issuing the Operating Licence in November 2023 for Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has continued its regulatory oversight: starting with fuel loading, testing until reaching the first criticality phase, which is a normal operating condition in the reactor, where energy is produced using nuclear fuel.
In its statement issued today, FANR confirmed that Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the operator, has met all regulatory requirements to initiate this phase. The milestone follows extensive oversight, including regular inspection, to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear power plant.
Following issuing the operating licence until the first criticality phase, FANR’s oversight activities included regular inspection using its resident inspectors as well as deploying inspectors from its headquarters to oversee the fuel loading and the testing processes. FANR is also continuously verifying the readiness of the emergency preparedness
and response system as well as monitoring the environment through independent monitoring stations around the nuclear power plant.
The phase is another historic milestone for the UAE Nuclear Energy Programme, which will lead to the full commercial operation of Unit 4 later this year. Since its establishment in 2009, FANR has issued regulations and regulatory guides, and conducted reviews and rigours inspections to ensure Nawah fulfils all regulatory requirements in reaching this milestone for the region’s first nuclear power plant thereby ensuring safety and security for the public workers and the environment.
Following the first criticality phase, FANR will continue conducting its regulatory oversight and inspection during this and subsequent phases including power grid synchronisation and full commercial operation to continue to ensure the safety and security as part of its mission to protect the public, workers and environment.
Source: Emirates News Agency