UAE moves step closer to nuclear energy

The UAE’s nuclear regulatory body has issued two licenses for the transport and storage of ‘fresh’ nuclear fuel, state news agency WAM has reported.

The licenses were issued by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, to transport ‘fresh’ nuclear fuel and to handle and store such fuel at Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

The receipt of nuclear fuel will be a first for the UAE - the licensing by the FANR played a significant role in enabling this to happen.

The licenses were approved for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, and Nawah Energy Company, respectively, in mid-December, after FANR’s staff carried out intensive assessments and inspections into their readiness, to ensure the license applications met FANR’s safety, security and safeguard requirements.

“I am pleased with the concerted efforts of the departments at FANR, who have worked laboriously throughout the licensing review period to ensure that the license applicants complied with our regulations and met the highest international standards of safety, security and safeguards. FANR fosters a strong safety culture and this commitment is shared by our Board of Management,” said Christer Viktorsson, Director General of FANR.

The operator will still need a FANR license to operate a nuclear facility in order to load nuclear fuel into Unit 1 at Barakah. This is currently being reviewed by the FANR.

FANR has over 1,800 licensees and has gained international recognition as a competent regulator. The UAE nuclear regulator cooperates closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, and it endeavors to maintain its strict adherence to the highest standards of nuclear safety.