The UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has issued nine licences for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant over the past 13 years, with the first issued in March 2010.
According to the latest FANR report, it has received 11 international review missions led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These have covered nuclear infrastructure, the legal and regulatory system, nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear non-proliferation, and emergency preparedness.
The report added that the UAE is party to over 13 international conventions, including ‘The Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement’; ‘The Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement’; ‘The Convention on Nuclear Safety’; ‘The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons’; ‘The UN Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty’ and the ‘123 Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation’.
In an overview of the UAE Nuclear Energy Programme, the report noted that the UAE issued its “Nuclear Policy” in 2008, which identified six key principles: complete operational transparency, the highest standards of non-proliferation, the highest standards of safety and security, working directly with the IAEA and conforming to its standards, partnerships with responsible nations and appropriate experts, and long-term sustainability.
The nuclear power plant will produce electricity to cover 25 percent of the UAE’s energy needs and prevent the release of 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, the figures released by FANR said.
