UAE issues operating licence for first nuclear plant

The United Arab Emirates’ nuclear regulator, on Monday, said it has issued an operating licence for the first reactor of the country’s nuclear power plant.

A report says the move makes the UAE the first country in the region to generate electricity from nuclear energy.

“The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation granted the plant’s operator, Nawah Energy Company, a 60-year operating licence for the first reactor,’’ the state-run WAM news agency said.

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Construction of the Barakah nuclear plant, located in Abu Dhabi’s western al-Dhafra region, began in 2012.

It is planned to operate with four reactors.

When the plant is fully operational, Nawah Energy Company expects it to generate up to 5,600 megawatts of energy, supplying approximately 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity.

(dpa/NAN)