The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) today announced the completion of the fabrication and installation of the Containment Liner Plate (CLP) in the Reactor Containment Building for Barakah Unit 1.

The 2,000 ton cylindrical structure, which measures nearly 60 meters in height and 45 meters in diameter, was constructed and installed in 19 stages over the past 9 months. The process involved more than 420,000 man-hours and is just one aspect of the complex construction program underway at Barakah; the site of the UAE’s first nuclear energy plants. Once the dome of the Reactor Containment Building is completed, the height of the structure will measure more than 80 meters in height.

The CLP is one of multiple defense-in-depth barriers that ensure the safety and security of nuclear energy plants. This cylindrical steel shell forms the inner wall, ceiling, and floor of the Reactor Containment Building (RCB), which is where the nuclear reactor is housed.

“We are pleased with the safe and successful installation of this major structure. The team has carried out the entire process prioritizing safety and quality at all times,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC.

“This is a significant milestone in the construction program to safely deliver unit 1 by 2017. The hard work continues as we focus on our next major milestone for Unit 1, which is the reactor vessel setting. We aim to complete this by Q2 next year.”

Over the next four months, the team will continue to cover the CLP in concrete to complete the containment structure for the reactor building. A special Polar Crane, which is used to install the Reactor Vessel (RV) and Steam Generators (SG) as well as other large equipment, will then be installed.

ENEC is building a total of four APR 1400MW nuclear energy reactors at Barakah, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Unit 1 will take five years to complete, with commercial operations commencing in 2017, pending regulatory approval. By 2020, with four plants online, the UAE will receive up to a quarter of its electricity needs from safe, clean, efficient and reliable nuclear energy, and save up to 12 million tons in carbon emissions each year.

As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency, safety, quality, efficiency and continuous improvement, ENEC will be hosting the New Nuclear International Conference (NNIC) next week in partnership with USA’s Goodnight Consulting. Takingplace at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal from the 11th – 14th of November, the conferencewill bring together nuclear energy leaders from more than 40 countries to share their experience in the all aspects of the nuclear life cycle.
 

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