Six years after it started construction, structural integrity testing (SIT) and integrated leak rate testing (ILRT) has been completed at unit 2 of the Barakah nuclear plant in Abu Dhabi.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced completion of the ten-day pre-operational tests on 31 March. The tests were conducted in collaboration with reactor supplier Korea Electric Power Corporation, project partner and contractor Nawah Energy Company, and observed by UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
SIT and ILRT validated Barakah 2’s structural safety performance under normal and extraordinary circumstances, as well as its integrity and robustness of the building in terms of force and leak tightness, ENEC said.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC said "With the completion of these pre-operational tests on Unit 2, we are moving closer to achieving our goal of supporting the future social and economic growth of our nation through the provision of clean and reliable electricity.”
He added: “The positive results of these tests demonstrate that the Reactor Containment Building has been constructed in accordance with the highest international safety standards, and displaying exemplary quality performance.”
Construction of Barakah 2, an APR1400 started April 2013, one year after Barakah 1. Unit 2 is currently "more than 95% complete," ENEC said.
Overall construction of the four-unit Barakah NPP is "progressing steadily" with overall plant construction standing at over 91%. ENEC note that lessons learned from the SIT and ILRT tests at Barakah 1&2 will be applied to units 3 and 4, ensuring the continued implementation of the highest industry standards and best practices.
