Selected Site

ENEC’s selected site for the UAE’s nuclear energy plants is located at Barakah in the Western Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, approximately 53 kilometres west-southwest of the city of Ruwais.

In July 2012, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi approved ENEC’s proposed site as the location for the first nuclear energy plants. Following the approval, ENEC began pouring first safety related concrete into Unit 1, achieving another important milestone for the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program

Barakah was selected based on environmental, technical and commercial factors, following a comprehensive evaluation process led by local and international experts. 

The process that led to the selection of Barakah as the site for the first nuclear energy plants in the UAE was based on guidance and standards from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, the Electric Power Research Institute, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Contributing factors to site selection included:

• seismic history
• distance from large population centres
• proximity to large supplies of water
• proximity to existing electrical power grid
• proximity to industrial and transportation infrastructure
• favourable construction, security, and evacuation route conditions
• ability to minimise environmental impact

Previous work performed in Barakah

In July 2010, FANR and the Environment Agency approved licenses for preliminary work to begin at Barakah.

The Site Preparation License allows ENEC to start the installation of site infrastructure. It also allows construction to begin on areas of the facility that are not part of the nuclear power plants, such as roads, telecommunications networks and site administration buildings.

Meanwhile, the Limited Construction License authorizes the manufacture and assembly of components, including reactor pressure vessels, steam generators and coolant pumps important to safety.