Power Plant Operations
Before any nuclear unit becomes operational, there is a stringent process to be followed. Known as the commissioning phase, each unit is tested by a combined team from ENEC Operations, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Once a unit is fully tested and declared ready, it will be handed over to ENEC Operations to begin operations.
More than 700 different tests are conducted to ensure that each unit’s systems, processes and people are prepared for operations. Once these are complete, the UAE’s nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), has to review and audit all pre-start up activities to ensure safety and compliance.
The units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant went through reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and voluntary independent peer reviews by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
When FANR issued the license to operate a nuclear reactor, ENEC Operations began loading fuel into the reactor. The reactor’s power output was increased in stages and numerous tests were conducted before any unit reaches full power. When the unit was at its maximum capacity, it was allowed to operate for a period of time before a full plant handover is completed. At this stage, ENEC Operations took full control of the nuclear reactor unit and it was declared as commercially operational.