Nuclear power in the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates is installing nuclear-powered plants to meet their electricity demand, which is estimated to increase from 15 GWe to over 40 GWe in 2020.[1] In December, 2009 US and UAE signed a Section 123 Agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation.[2] UAE has also signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), along with the additional protocol.[3]

Barakah nuclear power plant, the United Arab Emirates first nuclear power plant.

Nuclear Regulation in the UAE

In April 2008, the UAE Government officially announced its interest in evaluating nuclear energy as an additional source to meet the country’s growing energy demands.

The Policy of the United Arab Emirates on the Evaluation and Potential Development of Peaceful Nuclear Energy, otherwise known as the Nuclear Policy concluded that nuclear power emerged as a proven, environmentally promising and commercially competitive energy source compared to other options.

The Nuclear Policy also emphasised the establishment of an independent, vigilant and effective regulatory body as being the cornerstone of a stable, credible, safe, and secure nuclear programme.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) was established on 24 September 2009 in accordance with the Federal Law by Decree No. 6 of 2009, Concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, also known as the Nuclear Law.[4]

From its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, FANR regulates the nuclear sector in the UAE in line with the Nuclear Policy, international treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), other agreements the UAE is a party to, and international best practices.

The U.S.–UAE 123 Agreement for Peaceful Civilian Nuclear Energy Cooperation has allowed nuclear technology transfer from the United States of America, and has been called the 'gold standard' of such transfer agreements.[5]

Barakah nuclear power plant
Main article: Barakah nuclear power plant

The Barakah nuclear power plant is United Arab Emirates's first nuclear power station. It began construction in 2012, and four APR-1400 nuclear reactors were planned to start operation successively between 2017 and 2020.[6] As of 2020, the first unit was expected to start that year.[7]

In December 2009, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) awarded a coalition led by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) a $20 billion bid to build the first nuclear power plant in the UAE. Barakah, about 50 km west of Ruwais, was chosen as the site.[8][9] In 2011 Bloomberg reported that following detailed finance agreements, the build cost was put at $30 billion: $10 billion equity, $10 billion export-credit agency debt, and $10 billion from bank and sovereign debt. South Korea may earn a further $20 billion from operation, maintenance and fuel supply contracts.[10] However, a later Bloomberg report indicates the price as $25 billion.[11]

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See also

References
  1. "Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates". Country Briefings. World Nuclear Association (WNA). January 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  2. "US-UAE 123 Agreement". Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  3. "UAE NPT Signatory". Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  4. "Establishment of Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation". Federal Law. FANR. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  5. Gallagher, Sean (20 February 2019). "Report: Trump officials tried to fast-track nuclear tech transfer to Saudi Arabia". Ars Technica. Ars Technica. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  6. "UAE's ENEC submits plan to run first two nuclear reactors". Arabian Business. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  7. "More delays for Barakah nuclear plant". Nuclear Engineering International. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  8. "UAE Nuclear Power Plants". BBC News. 27 December 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  9. "Quarter of UAE's power from nuclear energy by 2020". Emirates 24/7. Dubai Media. March 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  10. Ayesha Daya and Stefania Bianchi (24 November 2011). "U.A.E.'s Nuclear Power Program Said to Cost $30 Billion". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  11. Sharif, Matthew Martin Arif. "Abu Dhabi Said to Revive Debt Plan for First Nuclear Plant". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
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