The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the U.A.E.’s Nuclear Regulator, has officially certified the first group of 15 operators for the Nawah Energy Company - the operations and maintenance subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
The certification ensures competence to operate a nuclear energy plant, and is a key requirement for the future receipt of the operating license for the Barakah NPP, according to the company's statement.
A reactor operator is responsible for operating and managing a nuclear energy plant’s main control room during regular operations and emergencies, including reactor start up and shut down and in the monitoring of reactor parameters.
“This is a major milestone for the U.A.E. Nuclear Energy Program. Investing in building Emirati nuclear expertise is pivotal for the sustainability of the U.A.E. Nuclear Energy Program to attain the nation’s ambitious goals,' said Christer Viktorsson, director-general of FANR.
The group completed a three-year training program developed by the ENEC and Nawah, in accordance with the regulations set out by FANR.
ENEC is developing four nuclear energy units at Barakah, in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, the first nuclear energy plant in the Arab World. Construction of unit 1 was completed in 2018 and it is now undergoing commissioning and testing prior to receiving an operating license, which is needed before fuel loading can begin.
As of the end of March 2019, the overall construction of the four units is more than 93% complete.
By Busranur Begcecanli
Anadolu Agency
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