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Barakah: UAE starts up Arab world's first nuclear plant | Barakah: UAE starts up Arab world's first nuclear plant |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The United Arab Emirates has launched operations at the Arab world's first nuclear power plant, on the Gulf coast just east of Qatar. | The United Arab Emirates has launched operations at the Arab world's first nuclear power plant, on the Gulf coast just east of Qatar. |
Nuclear fission has begun in one of four reactors at the Barakah plant, which uses South Korean technology. | Nuclear fission has begun in one of four reactors at the Barakah plant, which uses South Korean technology. |
The plant was expected to open in 2017 but the start-up was repeatedly delayed because of various safety issues. | The plant was expected to open in 2017 but the start-up was repeatedly delayed because of various safety issues. |
The oil-rich UAE wants Barakah to meet a quarter of its energy needs, as it adopts more sustainable energy sources. | The oil-rich UAE wants Barakah to meet a quarter of its energy needs, as it adopts more sustainable energy sources. |
Just two weeks ago the UAE sent a probe on a mission to Mars - another high-profile scientific first for the Gulf nation. | Just two weeks ago the UAE sent a probe on a mission to Mars - another high-profile scientific first for the Gulf nation. |
The UAE is also investing heavily in solar power - a plentiful energy source in the Gulf. Some energy experts question the logic of Barakah - which means "blessing" in Arabic. They argue that solar power is cleaner, cheaper and makes more sense in a region plagued by political tensions and terrorism. | The UAE is also investing heavily in solar power - a plentiful energy source in the Gulf. Some energy experts question the logic of Barakah - which means "blessing" in Arabic. They argue that solar power is cleaner, cheaper and makes more sense in a region plagued by political tensions and terrorism. |
Last year Qatar called the Barakah plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment". Qatar is a bitter regional rival of the UAE and Saudi Arabia. | Last year Qatar called the Barakah plant a "flagrant threat to regional peace and environment". Qatar is a bitter regional rival of the UAE and Saudi Arabia. |
Across the Gulf lies Iran, hostile to the UAE, and subject to US sanctions because of its controversial nuclear programme. | Across the Gulf lies Iran, hostile to the UAE, and subject to US sanctions because of its controversial nuclear programme. |
Dr Paul Dorfman, head of the international Nuclear Consulting Group, wrote last year that "the tense geopolitical environment in the Gulf makes nuclear a more controversial issue in this region than elsewhere, as new nuclear power provides the capability to develop and make nuclear weapons". | Dr Paul Dorfman, head of the international Nuclear Consulting Group, wrote last year that "the tense geopolitical environment in the Gulf makes nuclear a more controversial issue in this region than elsewhere, as new nuclear power provides the capability to develop and make nuclear weapons". |
The London-based scientist also highlighted the risk of radioactive pollution in the Gulf. | |
'Important milestone' | 'Important milestone' |
UAE leaders hailed the start-up on Saturday as a symbol of the country's scientific progress. | UAE leaders hailed the start-up on Saturday as a symbol of the country's scientific progress. |
The Barakah plant was developed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Energy will be generated by 1,400-megawatt pressurised water reactors, designed in South Korea, called APR-1400. | The Barakah plant was developed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Energy will be generated by 1,400-megawatt pressurised water reactors, designed in South Korea, called APR-1400. |
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - the nuclear industry's main oversight body - praised Barakah in a tweet, saying the plant's Unit 1 had "achieved its first criticality" - that is, generation of a controlled fission chain reaction. | The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - the nuclear industry's main oversight body - praised Barakah in a tweet, saying the plant's Unit 1 had "achieved its first criticality" - that is, generation of a controlled fission chain reaction. |
"This is an important milestone towards commercial operations and generating clean energy. IAEA has been supporting [United Arab Emirates] from the beginning of its nuclear power programme." | "This is an important milestone towards commercial operations and generating clean energy. IAEA has been supporting [United Arab Emirates] from the beginning of its nuclear power programme." |
The leader of Abu Dhabi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, tweeted his congratulations "marking this milestone in the roadmap for sustainable development". | The leader of Abu Dhabi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, tweeted his congratulations "marking this milestone in the roadmap for sustainable development". |