The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has completed the concrete dome for the unit 2 reactor containment building (RCB) at the Barakah NPP in Abu Dhabi. Enec said this was a significant milestone in construction of the plant. The dome is the final structural component in the RCB, which now stands over 70m high and houses the nuclear reactor. The 9.000t dome, which measures 51.4m in diameter and 24m in height, was constructed in nine stages. Enec’s teams worked closely with Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Hyundai/Samsung Joint Venture (HSJV) and Seoyong Construction.
The next stage of work on the RCB will involve installation of the containment post-tensioning system, which is used for pre-stressing the concrete structure, followed by a three-month structural integrity test, Enec said in its statement. Installation of the reactor coolant system piping, connecting the reactor vessel with the reactor coolant pumps and the steam generators was completed in February. In addition, all major components of the turbo-generator, including the moisture separator-reheaters have been delivered to site and installed. Setting and component alignment work is on-going, Enec said.
The project at Barakah is progressing steadily, with work 87% complete at unit 1, 68% at unit 2, 47% at unit 3, and 29% at unit 4. Pending regulatory approval, the four units are scheduled to be delivered by 2020, providing safe, clean, reliable and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE grid, Enec stated. The plant will provide approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs and save up to 12mt of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
