UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs inspects progress at Barakah nuclear power plant.

​H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, today visited the Barakah nuclear power plant being built in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, to inspect progress of work and a number of facilities, including the main control room and the turbines at Unit 1, the most advanced among the four units of the Barakah project.

He inspected the progress of construction work, the operational readiness of Unit 1 and the procedures to ensure compliance with the highest levels of safety and quality, established by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, as solid institutional culture and priorities.

Lauding the progress taking place at the site, he said, "I was very pleased to visit the site of the Barakah peaceful nuclear energy plants. I thank all the workers for the huge effort they are making in this leading project. I also thank all our strategic partners.

"I particularly thank the national youth who have been playing a major role in this project since its launch. I also praise ENEC for making efforts in preparing the young Emiratis to take part in all the phases of construction of leading project, including operation."

"The Barakah nuclear energy project represents one of the epics of national work being done by Emiratis," H.H. Sheikh Abdullah further said.

Sheikh Abdullah was welcomed at the site by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, Mohammed Sahoo Al Suwaidi, Acting Chief Executive of Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), and other senior officials from ENEC.

Al Hammadi expressed his delight over H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed's visit and his praise for ENEC's compliance with the highest standards.

"In this regard, we continue to work with the international community, represented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Advisory Council and the various relevant bodies to ensure the conformity of the Barakah peaceful nuclear energy project to all regulatory and legislative requirements," Al Hammadi said.

In addition to providing reliable, safe and environmentally-friendly energy, the Barakah nuclear energy project will contribute towards boosting economic and social growth as per Abu Dhabi Plan 2030.

ENEC, Nawah and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have made significant achievements in the project last year.

Unit 1 of the project which was launched in 2012 is 94 per cent complete. Overall, construction of the four units at the site is 76 per cent complete.

When completed in 2020, the four reactors at Barakah will have a combined generating capacity enough to supply nearly one-quarter of electricity demand in the UAE.