Day: August 27, 2021

ABU DHABI, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Margarita Robles, Spanish Minister of Defence, discussed issues of cooperation and mutual work during a phone call on Friday.

During the conversation, they tackled issues related to defence, military and the latest regional developments of mutual concern as well as ways to develop them in the best interests of the two countries.

Regarding cooperation between the two countries, Robles hailed the UAE’s efforts to support the evacuation of Spanish nationals from Afghanistan.

She also praised the vital role played by the UAE Ministry of Defence during the past few days and the logistical services it provided to the Spanish forces, which she considered “a true translation of the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Al Bowardi emphasised the UAE’s keenness and constant readiness to provide all forms of support and extend a helping hand to fraternal and friendly countries to enhance joint international efforts to serve security and stability in the region.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) today announced that its operating and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) has successfully started up Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It is particularly poignant that the milestone has been delivered just a day before Emirati Women’s Day, with female Emirati nuclear reactor operators joining the crew that successfully initiated start-up for Unit 2, reflecting the leading role that female UAE nationals are playing in the country’s peaceful nuclear energy program and clean electricity transition.

The female nuclear operators are highly qualified in nuclear engineering and are certified and licensed nuclear operators. They join more than 20% of the workforce at the Barakah Plant that are female, one of the highest representation rates for women in the global nuclear energy industry. Thanks to the efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), the ‘Mother of the UAE’, and countless other female Emirati pioneers, Emirati women today are at the forefront of many key sectors in the UAE, supporting economic diversification and sustainable development.

This milestone highlights the Barakah Plant’s role as it continues to contribute to the UAE’s success story, which has been achieved one year after the start-up of Unit 1, and within five months of commercial operations of Unit 1. This highlights the significant progress being made in bringing the four units of the Barakah Plant online, in a safe and timely manner, to quickly decarbonize the UAE’s energy sector.

This key milestone marks the point at which the Barakah Plant has become the region’s first multi-unit operating plant, further powering the nation’s economic growth with more clean, reliable and abundant electricity.

The achievement demonstrates the Nation’s extensive megaproject capabilities in the delivery of the UAE Program, which meets all national regulations & international standards, as well as the skills, qualifications and competencies of the Emirati-led teams at Barakah.

Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, said: “We have reached another major milestone in the delivery of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program today, as part of our journey to power the UAE with clean, abundant 24/7 electricity. The Barakah Plant supports the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Nation. With the start-up of Unit 2, we are now almost halfway to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our Nation’s electricity needs and enabling sustainable growth and in parallel, achieving UAE climate change targets. We are proud of the leading role that Emirati women have played in achieving continuous progress at Barakah and it is a timely moment to start-up Unit 2 as the nation begins to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day.

“With the support and guidance of the leadership of the UAE, Barakah has become a case study for the successful delivery of nuclear programs, establishing the plant as an example for other nations considering the addition of nuclear energy as part of their energy portfolio. Seven out of ten of the world’s most sustainable nations use nuclear energy, which is not only clean, but enhances national energy security and reliability,” he added.

Testing has been undertaken with the continued oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and follows the World Association of Nuclear Operator’s (WANO) completion of a Pre Start-up Review (PSUR), prior to receipt of the Operating License, which ensures Unit 2 is aligned with international best practice in the nuclear energy industry.

Nawah, the Joint Venture nuclear operations and maintenance subsidiary of ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), have been safely progressing through a comprehensive testing program, prior to successfully completing the start-up of the second nuclear energy reactor of the Barakah Plant.

Commenting on this achievement for the UAE, Eng. Ali Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Nawah, said: “It is another momentous occasion for the Barakah Plant, and we congratulate our talented team for completing the safe and successful start-up of Unit 2. Preparations will now continue as we work safely and steadily towards grid connection and eventually the start of commercial operations for the second Unit of the Barakah Plant. We remain committed to ensuring nuclear operational excellence across all of units, and we thank our partners in the UAE and across the globe for their continuous support in helping us achieve these milestones to the highest operating standards.”

Start-up is the first time the unit has produced heat through nuclear fission. The heat is used to create steam, turning a turbine to generate electricity. With the experience of Unit 1 start-up, Nawah’s qualified and licensed team of nuclear operators conducted numerous safety tests on the process and power output of the reactor.

In the coming months, Unit 2 will be connected to the national electricity grid and the nuclear operators will continue with a process of gradually raising the power levels, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT). The process will be continuously monitored and tested until maximum electricity production is reached, while adhering to all regulatory requirements and the highest international standards of safety, quality and security.

By powering hundreds of thousands of businesses and households with abundant, clean electricity from the Barakah Plant, ENEC is leading the largest decarbonization effort in the region. The Plant is also the largest single source of electricity in the UAE through the commercially operating Unit 1 of Barakah.

When fully operational, the four units of the plant will produce 5.6 gigawatts of electricity while preventing the release of more than 21 million tons of carbon emissions every year, equivalent to removing 3.2 million cars off the roads annually, and equivalent to those emissions from charging 7.3 billion smartphones daily.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, praised the progress the UAE has been making in supporting and empowering women, thanks to the leadership’s proactive vision.

“As we endeavour to shape the future of the Emirati women, we draw our inspiration from the wise vision and continuous support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates,” she said.

Sheikha Fatima made the remarks on the occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day, falling on 28th August, and celebrated this year under the theme, “Women: Ambitions & Inspiration for Next 50 Years”.

“I was very happy and proud to see the outcomes of the ‘National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE for 2015-2021’. I am also pleased to announce that we are celebrating the fruitful outcome of six years of diligent efforts by the GWU and strategic partners, as well as teams in the union, the federal and local government departments and the private sector, who worked very hard to ensure a robust and advanced model for women’s empowerment.”

This year’s celebration coincides with the marking 50 years since the UAE was founded on values and principles laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Concluding her statement with a message for Emirati women, Sheikha Fatima said, “My dear daughters, I am entrusted with supporting your dreams, your thoughts and your ambitions. I wish you all the best.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, emphasised that strategic achievements by the country are progressing steadily in various sectors in the year celebrating the golden jubilee, including the peaceful nuclear energy sector.

Sheikh Hamdan said these achievements were possible thanks to the vision of the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In his statement on the occasion of the launch of Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, he stated, “This achievement in this advanced scientific and technical sector confirms the UAE’s ability to move forward in developing giant strategic projects such as Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which will contribute to securing energy for future generations in addition to its pivotal role in confronting the phenomenon of climate change to preserve the environment.”

Sheikh Hamdan expressed his pride in the Emirati cadres who have proven their capabilities and dedication to lead work teams from various nationalities and global expertise, and completed this strategic project under the latest international standards and practices, by overcoming the challenges facing the world and registering these exceptional achievements.

“The UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme has become a role model for all countries that aspire to use nuclear energy to achieve their sustainability objectives, given the programme’s commitment to adhere to the highest international standards of safety, quality and transparency, in addition to gaining the world’s confidence through close cooperation with the competent authorities and partners,” he said in conclusion.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of the Frontline Heroes Office, acknowledged the role of Emirati women in supporting the government’s efforts against Covid-19.

In a statement celebrating Emirati Women’s Day – which takes place on August 28 every year – Sheikh Tahnoon recognised the crucial contribution made by Emirati women since the global Covid-19 crisis began. They have, he said, set the most outstanding examples of hard work, giving, and sincerity, for the country to be safe, the community to be healthy, and for residents to be protected.

He said that Emirati women are true frontline heroines who fought the pandemic side by side with their fellow brothers to protect everyone. They were among the first to support the efforts against the pandemic in all fields of work across the nation.

Sheikh Tahnoon expressed his thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), for dedicating August 28 every year to celebrate Emirati women. He noted that this year the celebration coincides with preparations for the 50th Anniversary of the formation of our beloved country by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was a true advocate of women’s rights in all areas of life.

He praised the Emirati women’s vital role, saying, “Your efforts are a source of pride for us all. They are unparalleled examples that reflect our commitment to our values of protecting our country and society”.

“This global crisis has yielded unprecedented challenges that have had a great impact on the entire world, but we in the UAE are heading towards recovering from its effects, thanks to the support and directives of our wise leadership and the Emirati women’s strong capabilities in handling the Covid-19 pandemic”, He concluded.

Source: Emirates News Agency