It was also an opportunity for the dignitaries and the accompanying delegation, which included ambassadors, ENEC's board of directors and officials, to witness first-hand the recent progress that has been achieved in the delivery of the U.A.E.'s first peaceful nuclear energy plants, while further strengthening the bilateral relations between U.A.E. and the Republic of Korea. 

In his remarks on the site, H.H. Sheikh Mansour expressed his delight over this historic milestone describing the arrival of the Reactor Vessel (RV) as an important achievement that bears the best testimony to the strong relationship between U.A.E. and South Korea and their fruitful cooperation in making this project a success in accordance with the highest standards of quality.

 

"Peaceful nuclear energy plays a signifigant role in the future of our nation as these plant will provide us with electricity which we need to fulfil our needs. In addition, the programme will provide many important
opportunities for our national human resources, and will improve their skills and knowledge in order to contribute to U.A.E.'s economic prosperity," added H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.

 

In 2009, ENEC awarded the Prime Contract to construct the U.A.E.'s nuclear energy plants to a consortium led
by the Korean Electric Power Company (KEPCO), one of the world leaders in safety, plant reliability and efficiency. Together, ENEC and KEPCO have made significant progress on the construction of the plants, with works for

Units 1 '&' 2 now over 44 percent complete, with construction progressing safely and on schedule.

 

The RV is one of the most important features and largest components in a nuclear energy plant. Inside
the vessel, controlled nuclear reactions occur that release energy that will be transformed into safe, clean and reliable electricity that will power the U.A.E. It is also one of the many defense-in-depth barriers that ensure the safety
of nuclear energy plants. 

During the visit, H.H Sheikh Mansour and President Park Geun-hye witnessed the signing of three strategic Memorandums of Understanding on nuclear energy cooperation between U.A.E. and South Korea.

 

The first agreement was signed between ENEC and the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy,
for cooperation in developing a direct employment programme in nuclear energy for graduates from the Republic of Korea. The second MoU between ENEC, KEPCO and the South Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation, will help develop internship programmes and job opportunities in the nuclear energy sector for students of both nations; while the third agreement between ENEC, KEPCO and its subsidiaries, will see the partners work towards the development of a local plant services industry here in the U.A.E.

 

"It is with great pride that we welcome these dignitaries to Barakah today, the home of the U.A.E.'s peaceful nuclear energy programme. With the arrival of our first Reactor Vessel, ENEC and KEPCO remain on track
to deliver the country's first nuclear energy reactor, Barakah Unit 1, in 2017," said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC.

 

"We are committed to delivering a world-class programme from construction through to operations, and while Barakah continues to grow quickly, I am proud of our dedication to carrying out work with safety and quality top of mind at all times." The delegation also received updates from ENEC and KEPCO officials on recent key milestones and accomplishments in a series of key areas, including improvements in site safety rates, construction progress, the state-of-the-art Simulator Training Center launched at site last month, ENEC's Human Capacity Development Programme - Energy Pioneers, and work being done with the local community through
ENEC's public outreach programme.

 

ENEC has been granted approval for additional civil works for Barakah Units 3 '&' 4 under its Limited Construction License. This approval will help to ensure that the Units remain on schedule to enter commercial operations in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

 

Unit 1 is scheduled to enter commercial operations in 2017, and Unit 2 is scheduled for operations in 2018, pending regulatory approvals. ENEC will apply for an Operating License for Units 1 and 2 in 2015 and is on track to break ground for the third plant later this year. With four plants operational by 2020, nuclear energy will deliver up to a quarter of the U.A.E's electricity needs, while saving up to 12 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.