UAE's nuclear regulator expects to issue operating license for third reactor in 2022

The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, or FANR, expects to issue the operating license for the country's third reactor in 2022 and for the fourth unit probably a year later, its director general said Feb. 23, as OPEC's third-biggest producer seeks to produce clean energy in line with its 2050 zero emissions target.

The Barakah-1 reactor reached 100% capacity in December 2020 after being connected to the power grid in August 2020, while the Barakah-2 was connected to the grid Sept. 14, 2021 following its start-up in August 2021 and has been undergoing testing while raising power levels.

"If there are any unexpected events then it might take a little bit longer, but if everything goes smoothly it [the operating license for unit 3] will certainly be issued this year," Christer Viktorsson said at a virtual media briefing.

"For unit 4, the original plan is one year after that of unit 3, that is still in our mind, in our planning."

Commercial operations

In 2020, the UAE became the first Arab country to generate nuclear power with the startup of the first of four 1.4 GW reactors at the Barakah plant in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

When all four reactors are operational, they will be able to meet as much as 25% of the country's power needs.

Nawah Energy Co., the operations and maintenance unit of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp., might take a year after the issuing of the operating license and loading of the first nuclear fuel to start commercial operations, Viktorsson said.

"When the operating license is issued, Nawah Energy Co... has a license then to load fresh nuclear fuel into the reactor vessel... and start the testing phase which lasts for some eight-to-nine months, and then it can go into operations," said Viktorsson. "So say a year after the loading or operating license, commercial operations will take place."

Robust security

The UAE mainly uses gas for power generation and is diversifying its power generation mix. It plans to generate half its power from clean and renewable sources, including nuclear power, by 2050 and is undertaking various projects to reach this goal.

The UAE is also the first country in the Middle East to commit to zero emissions by 2050.

The UAE, which foiled a number of drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia in January and February, has regulations in place to protect its nuclear reactors, Viktorsson said.

"We have robust security in the country," he said. "The nuclear power plant is designed according to the highest security principles. We at FANR, we make sure that we have regulations in place in order to protect the power plant and particularly the sensitive part of the power plant is well protected for any event."