Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Abu Dhabi is on the verge of completing the third unit of the four-unit plant with $24.4 billion in investments.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) on Sunday has revealed that it has successfully completed cold hydrostatic testing (CHT) at the UAE’s first nuclear power plant Barakah.
Before handling the test, Unit 3’s nuclear steam supply systems were flushed with demineralised water, and the reactor pressure vessel head and reactor coolant pump seals were installed.
During the testing, the welds, joints, pipes, and components of the reactor coolant system and associated high-pressure systems were verified, the statement said.
As part of the test, the pressure inside Unit 3’s systems was surged to 25% more than its planned normal operating pressure.
“The successful completion of the CHT ensures that unit 3’s coolant systems and high-pressure components meet the highest international standards of quality and safety, as per the regulations of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation,” Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, commented.
Earlier in 2018, ENEC and KEPCO successfully completed all major construction work at the plant.
The work included major concrete pouring, the installation of the turbine generator and the internal components of the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 3.
ENEC noted that Unit 3 is 86% complete.
The world’s largest nuclear project under construction has a total capacity of 5,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity and will be the first in the Arab world.
The plant has been scheduled to start operating in 2017 but has faced delays, and it is expected to begin operations in 2020.
