Atkins has been appointed to act as lender’s technical adviser for the United Arab Emirates’ civil nuclear energy programme.
Atkins will be responsible for providing an independent technical assessment of the programme which will deliver four new reactors under the leadership of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). Atkins’ advice will inform the investment decision of the private lenders – a combination of Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) and commercial banks.
Atkins has been contracted for the construction period of the four APR-1400 reactors procured from the South Korean consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in 2009. Until the reactors become operational (final schedules are dependent upon regulatory reviews and approvals), the company will monitor and report on construction and commissioning activities. Atkins will establish a core team of experts in Abu Dhabi which will have the ability to draw on its specialists worldwide.
US-based technical consultancy CH2M Hill has worked with the UAE nuclear developer ENEC as project management support.
