The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) convened its board of directors to examine its oversight activities at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. This review is part of FANR's annual inspection plan, ensuring the plant's operator, Nawah Energy Company, adheres to all regulatory requirements.
The board received a comprehensive report on ongoing inspections at the Barakah facility. These inspections are designed to verify the plant's safe and efficient operation while meeting all safety regulations. A particular focus was placed on Units 1, 2, and 3, which are currently generating electricity for the UAE grid.
The board also reviewed the status of the operating license application for Unit 4. FANR will only issue the license once Nawah Energy demonstrates it meets all regulatory requirements. Discussions also touched on planned maintenance and refueling outages scheduled for Units 1, 2, and 3 in the coming years.
The FANR board meeting comes amidst the continued development of the UAE's nuclear energy program. The Barakah plant is the first operational commercial nuclear power plant in the Arab world. Unit 1 began commercial operations in 2020, with Units 2 and 3 following suit in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
The UAE has ambitious plans for nuclear energy, aiming to generate up to 25% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050. To achieve this goal, the country is planning to construct additional nuclear power plants.
FANR plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of the UAE's nuclear program. The board's oversight activities are a crucial component of this mission. Regular inspections and rigorous licensing procedures help to guarantee the safe operation of the Barakah plant and future nuclear facilities in the UAE.