UAE issues license to start the country's first nuclear plant

Dubai — The UAE's nuclear regulatory authority granted the license needed to start the country's first nuclear plant, paving the way for the Gulf state to be the first in the region to use nuclear power to generate electricity.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation issued the license to Nawah Energy Co., the operating and maintenance unit of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp., enabling it to commence operations of unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, ENEC said Monday in a statement.

"Nawah will now complete its final preparations in advance of commencing the safe loading of the first fuel assemblies into the reactor vessel of Unit 1, which is the first stage in the start-up process for operations," ENEC said.

The start-up of the nuclear plants, which was slated for 2017 following the start of construction in 2012, was postponed due to delays in getting a license.

Once all four reactors are up and running, the plants will supply up to 25% of the UAE's electricity needs or 5,600 MW.

In 2017, the UAE launched its Energy Strategy 2050, which envisages producing 44% of its power from clean energy, 38% from gas, 12% from clean coal and 6% from nuclear energy.

The UAE government plans to invest 600 billion dirhams ($163 billion) by 2050 to meet its growing energy demand.

SAUDI PLANS

The UAE currently relies mostly on natural gas for power and water generation. By adding renewable energy and nuclear power to its energy mix, it frees up gas for consumption in industry and other sectors.

South Korea's KEPCO in 2009 won the $40 billion deal to construct the UAE nuclear reactors.

Saudi Arabia is also mulling starting a nuclear program for power generation to free up oil burned in utilities for export.

Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said September 9 that the kingdom could use its uranium resources as a starting point for self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel, including uranium enrichment, to power a fleet of power reactors. The country is evaluating proposals from five vendors, including Westinghouse in the US, to supply the first pair of units, with a decision expected in 2020.

The US continues to talk with Saudi Arabia about the kingdom's plans to begin using nuclear energy, former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said October 28. Perry cast doubt on the quality and quantity of uranium found in the kingdom. Perry also said any nuclear cooperation agreement and other protocols with Saudi Arabia allowing US companies to provide nuclear technology to the country would need approval of the US Congress.

Saudi Arabia has signed agreements with China National Nuclear Corp. to explore uranium resources in the country and is working with Jordan to gain expertise in uranium exploration and recovery, according to the World Nuclear Association.

(Updates with Saudi plans after subhead.)