Some of the Emirati staff behind the nuclear project, which has been more than a decade in the making. All photos courtesy Fanr
Some of the Emirati staff behind the nuclear project, which has been more than a decade in the making. All photos courtesy Fanr
The UAE's nuclear regulator issued an operating licence for the first reactor at Barakah in February 2020
The UAE's nuclear regulator issued an operating licence for the first reactor at Barakah in February 2020
Delivering the project has been a feat of engineering. As many as 18,000 people worked on the project at the height of construction.
Delivering the project has been a feat of engineering. As many as 18,000 people worked on the project at the height of construction.
Fifty-three Emiratis have recently been certified as senior reactor operators and many more will be needed in coming years
Fifty-three Emiratis have recently been certified as senior reactor operators and many more will be needed in coming years
There is growing interest among new Emirati graduates to enter the nuclear training programmes
There is growing interest among new Emirati graduates to enter the nuclear training programmes
Nuclear plays a significant part in targets to reduce gas-fired power generation to 38 per cent by 2050, along with renewable energy from solar and some clean coal.
Nuclear plays a significant part in targets to reduce gas-fired power generation to 38 per cent by 2050, along with renewable energy from solar and some clean coal.
“The nuclear programme has huge upfront costs to provide a certain level of security," Hamad Al Kaabi said. "But once you make that investment in the construction of the plant, the operation and fuel cost is very minimal compared to the overall cost.
“The nuclear programme has huge upfront costs to provide a certain level of security," Hamad Al Kaabi said. "But once you make that investment in the construction of the plant, the operation and fuel cost is very minimal compared to the overall cost.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed previously said Barakah is a "new chapter in our journey for the development of peaceful nuclear energy"
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed previously said Barakah is a "new chapter in our journey for the development of peaceful nuclear energy"
"As we prepare for the next 50 years to safeguard our needs, our biggest strength is national talent," Sheikh Mohamed said.
"As we prepare for the next 50 years to safeguard our needs, our biggest strength is national talent," Sheikh Mohamed said.
The four huge reactors at Barakah
The four huge reactors at Barakah
Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Christer Viktorsson, director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, speak about the first reactor to be licensed in February. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Christer Viktorsson, director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, speak about the first reactor to be licensed in February. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

UAE

Barakah nuclear plant's first reactor reaches 80 per cent power

Once Unit 1 reaches 100 per cent capacity, it will be powered down for further testing

The National

November 18, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant's first reactor is now operating at 80 per cent capacity.

Engineers at the facility in Abu Dhabi, the first in the Arab world, have been slowly raising the reactor power levels since it was switched on in late July.

Throughout this process, called power ascension testing, the systems of Unit 1 were closely monitored and tested to ensure they are completely safe and comply with international and national regulatory requirements.

The testing is being conducted under the oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, which carried out more than 280 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development.

These national reviews were supported by more than 40 assessments and peer reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency and World Association of Nuclear Operators.

Once Unit 1 reaches 100 per cent power, it will be gradually shut down to carry out a check outage.

During the check outage, which takes place over a period of several months, Unit 1’s systems will be carefully examined and any planned or corrective maintenance will be performed to ensure its safety, reliability and security before beginning commercial operations.

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in Al Dhafra, is the cornerstone of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme. It was built in partnership with the Korea Electric Power Corporation, where hundreds of Emiratis have trained.

Unit 1 was connected to the UAE power grid in August, when it began producing clean and environment-friendly electricity using nuclear energy.

It was a crucial first step in an ambitious journey with an ultimate goal to deliver 25 per cent of the UAE's electricity with zero carbon emissions for several decades.

In The Heights

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda

Rating: ****

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
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About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Uefa Champions League play-off

First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev

Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax

The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

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Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
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The biog

Year of birth: 1988

Place of birth: Baghdad

Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany

Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading

 

 

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

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