After Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has been safely and successfully connected to the UAE transmission grid, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has confirmed its continued cooperation with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to ensure the preservation of the environment and biological diversity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The BarakahNuclear EnergyPlant,the first operating nuclear energy plant in the Arab World, has four units, whichwhen fully operational will generate up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity, while preventing the release of 21 million tons of carbon emissions per annum, which is equal to removing 3.2 million cars off the roads each year.
As part of the collaborative efforts between EAD and ENEC, both entities have invested significant time and resources into identifying initiatives to protect the natural coastal environment surrounding the Barakah plant. As a result, a coral reef preservation project has been successfully implemented. Coral reefs around the plant have beenpreserved by removing them from the Barakah site and rehabilitating them in other areas to protect the coral.Since the inception of the project both organisations have worked together on a “compensation plan” to ensure the plant supports and preserves the environment and biological diversity of Abu Dhabi.
Around 7,300 coral reef settlements were successfully rehomed, conserving marine life, while 22,300 coral reefs have been regrown in a location 17 km north of the Barakah plant. In addition, 6,000 square meters of artificial coral reef were also completed.
His Excellency Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC,said: "Since construction of the Barakah NuclearEnergyPlant commenced in 2012, we have been keen to protect the environment surrounding the plant by adopting best practices for our environmental protection standards, applying international measures to preserve natural habitats, and conserve energy and water resources. These actions will help to ensure that the operation of our plant meets the highest environmental sustainability standards throughout the development and operation of the plant."
His Excellency Al Hammadi added: “This work is derived from the framework of the Environment and Sustainability Charter of the Barakah plant site, which was signed by ENECalongside its prime contractor and Joint Venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The framework promotes best practice to protect the natural environment and marine life, as well as the optimal management of construction waste.”
Al Hammadi praised EAD’s cooperation and its directives during the various stages of the development of the Barakah NuclearEnergyPlant, saying thatthe Agency’s efforts have played a vital role in ensuring that the development of the project is in line with the highest environmental standards.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said “This achievement is a culmination of twelve years of co-operation and intensive work between our organisations. It is also a result of the concerted efforts made by EAD and various Abu Dhabi-based government organisations and federal authorities to achieve the vision of the UAE Government and Leadership.
“We are keeping pace with the UAE, and in particular Abu Dhabi’s urban development activitiesby continuously striving for environmental sustainability, especially in the utility sector.”
Her Excellency added: “The agency has completed the process of strategic assessment and environmental studies required to see the project bloom and achieve the desired goal. This was done to achieve the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed in preserving our environmental heritage.”
Her Excellency also said that since EAD received the request from ENEC in 2009 to issue the Nuclear Construction Environmental Permit to establish the first Arab project for electricity generation from nuclear energy, the agency undertook a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment, which Her Excellency stressed on, as the extensive research conducted identifiedpotential impacts on the environment and biological diversity. This research played a prominent role in identifying any potential impacts on the environment, in order to maintain the wildlife and rich ecological heritage in critical habitats, such as coral reefs, seaweed and marine algae.
Dr. Al Dhaheri elaborated that these habitats are the main pillars for conserving fisheries and providing homes for endangered species such as marine turtles and dugongs.
HerExcellency Eng. Shaikha Ahmed Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Environmental Quality Sector at EAD stressed on the vital role EAD played within the fruitful cooperation model between all concerned parties on aFederal and local level.
She clarified that in order to maintain the quality of the marine environment, an assessment was carried out to measureany potential environmental impact, as well as a non-nuclear assessment and environmental conditions indexto evaluate the construction plans.
Her Excellency said that plans to maintain the quality of air along the paths ofthe 400 kV electrical transmission lines, which will be used to transmit electricity,were alsoevaluated. This wasparticularly important for the Barqa Al Suqoor and Baynounah ProtectedAreas.
Al Hosani also pointed out that the agency collected samples of air, soil, water, marine soil and plants in the area.
EADhas reviewed reports submitted by Nawah Energy Company, the operating and maintenance subsidiary of ENEC, and also benefited from the expertise ofsimilar international facilities where strict control measures are applied. There was a thorough inspection of the plant during the construction and development phase, reaching 300 hours.
A total of 36 quarterly environmental monitoring reports were also studied to analyze the quality of sea water, marine plankton, marine soil, airquality and the existing status of wildlife in the project area.
To identify mitigation measures, the bi-annual environmental audit reportswere also reviewed. These audit reports are submitted periodically to EAD by an accredited third-party organization.
After the conclusion of the review and inspection phase, EADwas assured that the project is proceeding in a transparent manner, in full compliance with local, federal and global environmental laws.
This projecthas been developed in line with best international practices, which reflectthe UAE’s capabilitiesin building a sustainable future and the country’sdrive to consistently contributeto reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. The UAE has achieved its scheduled plans for the continuity of regular environmental monitoring for the generation of electrical energy, throughout the 60+ year operational lifespan of the plant, which will generate clean, abundant, safe and continuous electricity for the Nation.