Handover of Barakah nuclear plant to operator 'almost complete'

Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the world’s first commercial atomic-energy plant, is a step closer to being switched on.

Construction of the Barakah Unit 1 reactor has been completed and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s handover of operations at the plant to Nawah Energy Company is “almost complete,” Christer Viktorsson, the UAE’s top nuclear regulator, said.

Additional tests and adjustments need to be done before the government will allow the plant to operate, he said.

“I have to make sure that everything is tip-top before I give the operating license,” said Mr Viktorsson, director-general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

“They have 60 or 80 years to operate, which is the typical lifetime of a nuclear reactor. So, why rush for two months or three months or a year?”

The UAE plans to bring a total of four nuclear plants into operation by 2021, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, said in September. The reactors are estimated to cost $25 billion and produce a combined 5,600 megawatts of power, a vital component in the country’s programme to diversify its energy supply and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

The UAE’s first Barakah reactor plans to begin loading fuel next month, South Korea’s energy ministry said in March. South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended a ceremony to celebrate the facility’s completion that same month.

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UAE is 'role model' for peaceful nuclear power says energy chief

Construction of UAE’s first nuclear reactor complete but operation delayed to 2018

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Mr Viktorsson said the plant can’t load fuel until his agency issues an operating license, without specifying when the regulator was likely to do so. “Not in the next couple of weeks, that’s for sure,” he said.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will have four reactors, or units, when fully operational. Connecting Units Three and Four to the grid will allow the next stage of testing and the completion of auxiliary buildings on the site, which is in the Western Region near Ruwais.

Once fully operational, the Barakah power plant is expected to produce a quarter of the UAE’s energy as well as save 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Nawah Energy, a joint venture between Enec and Korea Electric, was established to operate the UAE’s four nuclear plants.

The UAE’s nuclear safety culture is improving day by day, Mr Viktorsson said. “They realise that we cannot have a nuclear accident,” he said. “Even a small accident is too much.”

Checks continue

A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.

Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.

Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn

In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:

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The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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