Measuring 60m in height and 45m in diameter, the 2,000t cylindrical steel shell was constructed and installed in 19 stages in the reactor containment building (RCB) for Barakah Unit 1, over the past 9 months
Representing one of multiple defense-in-depth barriers that will ensure safety and security of the nuclear energy plants, the CLP will form the inner wall, ceiling, and floor of RCB, which will house the nuclear reactor.
The shell will be covered in concrete over the next four months, to enable completion of the containment structure for the reactor building., after which a special polar crane for installation of the reactor vessel and steam generators, as well as other large equipment, will be installed.
ENEC chief executive officer Mohamed Al Hammadi said the installation is a significant milestone in the construction program to safely deliver unit 1 by 2017.
”The hard work continues as we focus on our next major milestone for Unit 1, which is the reactor vessel setting. We aim to complete this by Q2 next year,” Al Hammadi added.
”The team has carried out the entire process prioritizing safety and quality at all times.”
A total of four APR 1400MW nuclear energy reactors are currently built by ENEC at Barakah, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Constructed over a five year period, the unit 1 is set to begin commercial operations in 2017, subject to regulatory approval.
With planned start up of four nuclear plants by 2020, UAE will receive up to a quarter of its electricity needs from nuclear energy, and save up to 12 million tons in carbon emissions each year.
