CLIENT STATE OF SAUDI ARABIA
THEY CAN HAVE ONE, BUT IRAN CAN'T
By Shatha Yaish
08/01/20
The oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced the startup of its Barakah nuclear power plant, scoring another first for the Arab world.
The announcement, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, comes hot on the heels of the UAE's launch of the Arab world's first probe to Mars.
"UAE first nuclear reactor at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has achieved first criticality and successfully started up," tweeted Hamad Alkaabi, the country's representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"This is a historic milestone for the nation with a vision set to deliver a new form of clean energy for the nation," he tweeted in English, along with a photograph of technicians raising their arms in celebration.
The UAE premier and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted that work at Barakah had "succeeded in loading nuclear fuel packages, carrying out comprehensive tests and successfully completing the operation".
"Congratulations on realising this historic achievement in the energy sector & marking this milestone in the roadmap for sustainable development," Sheikh Mohammed said.
Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.
UAE launches operations in first nuclear power plant in the Arab world
The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, shown here in 2017. Photo courtesy Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp.
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations in the first of four reactors at the Barakah nuclear power station, which has been described as the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world.
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, which is building and operating the plant with Korea Electric Power Corporation in the Al Dhafrah Region of Abu Dhabi, published a press release saying Unit 1 of the plant has successfully started.
"The start-up of Unit 1 marks the first time that the reactor safely produces heat, which is used to create steam, turning a turbine to generate electricity," the release said.
The plant, Barakah, was scheduled to open in 2017, but has run billions of dollars over budget and been troubled by delays, Al-Jazeera reported.
Nuclear energy veterans have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the plant.
Last year Paul Dorfman, an honorary senior research fellow at the Energy Institute, University College London and founder and chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group, authored a report last year saying Barakah's reactors lack key safety features that are standard in newly-built nuclear plants elsewhere.
The missing features include "core catcher" to stop the core of a reactor from breaching containment in the event of a meltdown, and reinforcements that would shield against a radiological release resulting from a missile or fighter jet attack.
RELATED UAE's historic first Mars mission launches from Japan
There have been at least 13 aerial attacks on nuclear facilities in the Middle East.
Barakah is located near Qatar, which is a regional rival of the UAE and which has called the plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment."
By Shatha Yaish
08/01/20
The oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced the startup of its Barakah nuclear power plant, scoring another first for the Arab world.
The announcement, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, comes hot on the heels of the UAE's launch of the Arab world's first probe to Mars.
"UAE first nuclear reactor at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has achieved first criticality and successfully started up," tweeted Hamad Alkaabi, the country's representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"This is a historic milestone for the nation with a vision set to deliver a new form of clean energy for the nation," he tweeted in English, along with a photograph of technicians raising their arms in celebration.
The UAE premier and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted that work at Barakah had "succeeded in loading nuclear fuel packages, carrying out comprehensive tests and successfully completing the operation".
"Congratulations on realising this historic achievement in the energy sector & marking this milestone in the roadmap for sustainable development," Sheikh Mohammed said.
The UAE has substantial oil and gas reserves but has made huge investments in developing alternatives, including solar energy and now the Barakah nuclear power plant Photo: Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / -
The UAE started loading fuel rods into the reactor at Barakah in February, after regulators gave the green light for the first of the plant's four reactors, opening the way for commercial operations.
The plant on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi had been due to go online in late 2017 but faced a number of delays that officials attributed to safety and regulatory requirements.
The Nawah Energy Company said at the time that Unit 1 would begin commercial operations after a "series of tests" leading to the start-up process.
During the process, the unit would be synchronised with the power grid and the first electricity produced.
The UAE has substantial oil and gas reserves, but with a power-hungry population of 10 million it has made huge investments in developing clean alternatives, including solar energy.
Barakah, which means "blessing" in Arabic, is a regional first -- Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has said it plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but the project has yet to materialise.
Barakah was built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation at a cost of some $24.4 billion.
The plant on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi had been due to go online in late 2017 but faced a number of delays that officials attributed to safety and regulatory requirements.
The Nawah Energy Company said at the time that Unit 1 would begin commercial operations after a "series of tests" leading to the start-up process.
During the process, the unit would be synchronised with the power grid and the first electricity produced.
The UAE has substantial oil and gas reserves, but with a power-hungry population of 10 million it has made huge investments in developing clean alternatives, including solar energy.
Barakah, which means "blessing" in Arabic, is a regional first -- Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has said it plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but the project has yet to materialise.
Barakah was built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation at a cost of some $24.4 billion.
Barakah nuclear plant in the Gharbiya region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline west of the United Arab Emirates capital Photo: Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / -
When fully operational, its four reactors have the capacity to generate 5,600 megawatts of electricity, around 25 percent of the nation's needs. The remaining three reactors are almost ready for operation.
As well as generating competitively priced electricity, the UAE also hopes the nuclear plant will elevate its status as a key regional player, building on its success as a hub for tourism, banking and services.
The fourth largest crude producer in the OPEC cartel, the country was built on oil and sits on a huge, recently discovered gas field.
Nevertheless, it is spending billions to develop enough renewable energy to cover half of its needs by 2050.
"This is part of the UAE's drive to diversify its energy economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and project its image as a regional leader in science and technology," a Gulf analyst told AFP.
On July 20, the first Arab space mission to Mars, an unmanned probe dubbed "Hope", blasted off from Japan on a mission to reveal more about the atmosphere of the Red Planet.
The Barakah plant, on the coast facing Iran across the Gulf, stands just 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Saudi border and closer to Qatar's capital Doha than to Abu Dhabi.
Amid a tense confrontation between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, the UAE has said it will not be developing a uranium enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies.
Qatar, the target of a boycott by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others since June 2017, last year said the Barakah plant poses a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment".
The UAE has repeatedly said its nuclear ambitions are for "peaceful purposes" and moved to dispel any concerns over safety.
It says it has welcomed more than 40 international reviews and inspection missions.
Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.
UAE's Nuclear Power Plant: Energy And Politics
By AFP News
08/01/20
When fully operational, its four reactors have the capacity to generate 5,600 megawatts of electricity, around 25 percent of the nation's needs. The remaining three reactors are almost ready for operation.
As well as generating competitively priced electricity, the UAE also hopes the nuclear plant will elevate its status as a key regional player, building on its success as a hub for tourism, banking and services.
The fourth largest crude producer in the OPEC cartel, the country was built on oil and sits on a huge, recently discovered gas field.
Nevertheless, it is spending billions to develop enough renewable energy to cover half of its needs by 2050.
"This is part of the UAE's drive to diversify its energy economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and project its image as a regional leader in science and technology," a Gulf analyst told AFP.
On July 20, the first Arab space mission to Mars, an unmanned probe dubbed "Hope", blasted off from Japan on a mission to reveal more about the atmosphere of the Red Planet.
The Barakah plant, on the coast facing Iran across the Gulf, stands just 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Saudi border and closer to Qatar's capital Doha than to Abu Dhabi.
Amid a tense confrontation between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, the UAE has said it will not be developing a uranium enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies.
Qatar, the target of a boycott by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others since June 2017, last year said the Barakah plant poses a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment".
The UAE has repeatedly said its nuclear ambitions are for "peaceful purposes" and moved to dispel any concerns over safety.
It says it has welcomed more than 40 international reviews and inspection missions.
Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.
UAE's Nuclear Power Plant: Energy And Politics
By AFP News
08/01/20
The United Arab Emirates' Barakah nuclear power plant, a first for the Arab world, successfully started up Saturday in a region grappling with conflicts.
Here are some facts about the plant that consists of four nuclear reactors, designed to supplement the energy needs of a country which has substantial oil reserves but is investing heavily in renewables.
The $22.4 billion Barakah plant, on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi, is being built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
When fully operational, the four reactors will generate 5,600 megawatts, around 25 percent of the UAE's electricity needs.
On Saturday, the UAE pushed the button on the first of the four reactors. Commercial operation of Unit 1 is planned for later this year.
"The full operation of Barakah plant in the near future will contribute to the UAE's efforts for development and sustainability," Hamad Alkaabi, the UAE representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told journalists in January.
The plant is a regional first. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia has announced plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but they have yet to materialise.
The UAE's seven emirates have an energy-hungry population of 10 million, mostly expatriates. Its glass skyscrapers and their air-conditioning systems guzzle energy, particularly during the scorching summer.
The fourth largest crude producer in the OPEC cartel, the country was built on oil and sits on a huge, recently discovered gas field.
Nevertheless, it is spending billions to develop enough renewable energy to cover half of its needs by 2050.
Officials hope that as well as generating cheap electricity, the plant will elevate the UAE's status as a regional player with influence extending to Yemen, the Horn of Africa and Libya.
"This is part of the UAE's drive to diversify its energy economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and project its image as a regional leader in science and technology," one Gulf analyst told AFP.
Other big projects include a homegrown space program which sent the first Emirati astronaut into space last year and a probe to Mars last month.
Here are some facts about the plant that consists of four nuclear reactors, designed to supplement the energy needs of a country which has substantial oil reserves but is investing heavily in renewables.
The $22.4 billion Barakah plant, on the Gulf coast west of Abu Dhabi, is being built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
When fully operational, the four reactors will generate 5,600 megawatts, around 25 percent of the UAE's electricity needs.
On Saturday, the UAE pushed the button on the first of the four reactors. Commercial operation of Unit 1 is planned for later this year.
"The full operation of Barakah plant in the near future will contribute to the UAE's efforts for development and sustainability," Hamad Alkaabi, the UAE representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told journalists in January.
The plant is a regional first. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia has announced plans to build up to 16 nuclear reactors, but they have yet to materialise.
The UAE's seven emirates have an energy-hungry population of 10 million, mostly expatriates. Its glass skyscrapers and their air-conditioning systems guzzle energy, particularly during the scorching summer.
The fourth largest crude producer in the OPEC cartel, the country was built on oil and sits on a huge, recently discovered gas field.
Nevertheless, it is spending billions to develop enough renewable energy to cover half of its needs by 2050.
Officials hope that as well as generating cheap electricity, the plant will elevate the UAE's status as a regional player with influence extending to Yemen, the Horn of Africa and Libya.
"This is part of the UAE's drive to diversify its energy economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and project its image as a regional leader in science and technology," one Gulf analyst told AFP.
Other big projects include a homegrown space program which sent the first Emirati astronaut into space last year and a probe to Mars last month.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates is being built at a cost of $22.4 billion Photo: Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / -
The first of the Barakah plant's reactors had been due to come online in late 2017, but that was delayed several times to meet regulations.
"There have been delays in issuing the required licence (from the country's atomic regulator) to ensure the safety of the nuclear plant," the Gulf analyst said.
The UAE has repeatedly said its nuclear ambitions are for "peaceful purposes" and moved to dispel any concerns over safety.
It cites more than 40 international missions and reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) since 2010, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.
Residents living within 50 kilometres (30 miles) of the plant have been instructed on what to do in the event of an accident.
The UAE has said it will not be developing a uranium enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies.
The Barakah plant is located near the border with Saudi Arabia, closer to the Qatari capital Doha than to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. It lies on the Emirates coast, separated from Iran by troubled Gulf waters.
Iran has a nuclear power plant of its own on the Gulf coast, built by Russia after years of delay outside the city of Bushehr.
Relations between Iran and the UAE, a staunch US ally, have deteriorated as Washington has pursued a "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran and accused it of attacking oil tankers in Gulf waters.
A missile and drone attack that knocked out half of energy giant Saudi Aramco's production was claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, but Washington pointed the finger at Iran.
"The 2019 attack on Aramco highlighted the vulnerability of the Gulf's energy infrastructure to external attacks," the Gulf analyst said.
Tensions pitting Iran against the US and its allies "increases the vulnerability of new energy infrastructure to the possibility of such attacks."
Meanwhile Qatar, the target of a boycott by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others since June 2017, last year said the plant poses a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment".The Emirates said there was no cause for concern, reiterating its commitment to "the highest degree of nuclear safety, security and nuclear non-proliferation".
The first of the Barakah plant's reactors had been due to come online in late 2017, but that was delayed several times to meet regulations.
"There have been delays in issuing the required licence (from the country's atomic regulator) to ensure the safety of the nuclear plant," the Gulf analyst said.
The UAE has repeatedly said its nuclear ambitions are for "peaceful purposes" and moved to dispel any concerns over safety.
It cites more than 40 international missions and reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) since 2010, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.
Residents living within 50 kilometres (30 miles) of the plant have been instructed on what to do in the event of an accident.
The UAE has said it will not be developing a uranium enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies.
The Barakah plant is located near the border with Saudi Arabia, closer to the Qatari capital Doha than to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. It lies on the Emirates coast, separated from Iran by troubled Gulf waters.
Iran has a nuclear power plant of its own on the Gulf coast, built by Russia after years of delay outside the city of Bushehr.
Relations between Iran and the UAE, a staunch US ally, have deteriorated as Washington has pursued a "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran and accused it of attacking oil tankers in Gulf waters.
A missile and drone attack that knocked out half of energy giant Saudi Aramco's production was claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, but Washington pointed the finger at Iran.
"The 2019 attack on Aramco highlighted the vulnerability of the Gulf's energy infrastructure to external attacks," the Gulf analyst said.
Tensions pitting Iran against the US and its allies "increases the vulnerability of new energy infrastructure to the possibility of such attacks."
Meanwhile Qatar, the target of a boycott by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others since June 2017, last year said the plant poses a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment".The Emirates said there was no cause for concern, reiterating its commitment to "the highest degree of nuclear safety, security and nuclear non-proliferation".
Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.
UAE launches operations in first nuclear power plant in the Arab world
The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, shown here in 2017. Photo courtesy Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp.
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Saturday that it has launched operations in the first of four reactors at the Barakah nuclear power station, which has been described as the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world.
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, which is building and operating the plant with Korea Electric Power Corporation in the Al Dhafrah Region of Abu Dhabi, published a press release saying Unit 1 of the plant has successfully started.
"The start-up of Unit 1 marks the first time that the reactor safely produces heat, which is used to create steam, turning a turbine to generate electricity," the release said.
The plant, Barakah, was scheduled to open in 2017, but has run billions of dollars over budget and been troubled by delays, Al-Jazeera reported.
Nuclear energy veterans have raised concerns about potential risks associated with the plant.
Last year Paul Dorfman, an honorary senior research fellow at the Energy Institute, University College London and founder and chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group, authored a report last year saying Barakah's reactors lack key safety features that are standard in newly-built nuclear plants elsewhere.
The missing features include "core catcher" to stop the core of a reactor from breaching containment in the event of a meltdown, and reinforcements that would shield against a radiological release resulting from a missile or fighter jet attack.
RELATED UAE's historic first Mars mission launches from Japan
There have been at least 13 aerial attacks on nuclear facilities in the Middle East.
Barakah is located near Qatar, which is a regional rival of the UAE and which has called the plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment."
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