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ABU DHABI/WAM
The environmental policies in place at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra region are a leading model that supports sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. This is achieved by complying with local environmental regulations and adhering to the highest international standards. Barakah Plant places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, which is reflected in its social and environmental responsibility.
Barakah is a living example of how to promote productivity while at the same time preserving the environment and ensuring community safety. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the developer of the Barakah plant, and its subsidiaries are working to promote a culture of environmental awareness among employees and the local community. This is done through the launch of qualitative initiatives in cooperation with various stakeholders to preserve the environmental biodiversity in the areas surrounding the plant.
ENEC and its subsidiaries are committed to implementing their operational activities in a way that preserves the environment surrounding the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant project. Their environmental and sustainability teams are conducting multiple initiatives to improve environmental awareness and reduce the carbon footprint of the energy sector.
In line with its environmental commitments, ENEC organises an annual clean-up campaign for the areas surrounding the plant and for the Barakah beach. Hundreds of volunteer employees participate in the campaign in cooperation with the relevant authorities. In addition, the corporation implements projects such as the artificial coral reef on Barakah Beach to enhance marine biodiversity. It also implements multiple initiatives such as the “Together for a Green Environment” initiative, which aims to plant trees in the areas surrounding Barakah. Thousands of trees have been planted inside and outside the plant site, and a nursery has been established at the same time that relies on recycled water.
These initiatives reflect the corporation’s commitment to the environment since the inception of the peaceful nuclear energy sector in the country. These efforts have culminated in this vital sector becoming an integral part of the wheel of sustainable development.
On the other hand, ENEC is investing in research and development (RD) to improve nuclear energy technologies to produce environmentally friendly energy. Barakah plant uses the latest nuclear reactor technology to accelerate the process of reducing the carbon footprint of the energy sector in the country. Once fully operational, the plant will reduce more than 22 million tons of carbon emissions annually, which is equivalent to the emissions from 4.8 million cars. The corporation is working to apply the best practices for the safe and sustainable management of nuclear energy waste.
In terms of community safety for employees, the Barakah plant is divided into two areas: the “Green Zone,” which includes administration buildings, technical support centres, training centres, simulation training centres for operating nuclear reactors, employee residential complexes, in addition to restaurants and various recreational facilities, such as indoor and outdoor sports fields, and green gardens that provide all the comforts and needs of the workers in the stations, which reflect the social environment and operational flexibility. The second area is the one that includes the reactor buildings and other facilities that are characterised by modern designs according to environmental standards.
In this context, ENEC and its subsidiaries are keen to comply with local regulatory regulations and follow the highest standards of nuclear safety and security. About 4,000 training workshops have been organised in this regard, attended by about 90,000 employees, which contributed to the achievement of an important milestone by the Barakah Plant, represented by achieving 100 million safe working hours.
It is worth noting that the Barakah Plant plays a key role in supporting sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest single source of clean electricity in the country and the region, and it is working to accelerate the reduction of the carbon footprint of the energy sector in the country, thereby contributing significantly to achieving the goals of the country’s strategic initiative for carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, the Plant contributes 25% of the country’s commitments to reducing its carbon footprint.
The Barakah Plant is only the beginning of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear programme. It has become a platform for innovation, research and development in the areas of investing in advanced nuclear energy technologies and paving the way for the development of new sources of clean energy such as hydrogen, heat, and steam. In addition to its current role in providing abundant and carbon-free energy around the clock.