UAE reactor contract for Doosan

01 July 2010

Doosan Heavy Industries has been awarded a $3.9 billion contract by Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco) to supply equipment for four nuclear power reactors planned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

 

In December 2009, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) placed a $20 billion order with a consortium of South Korean companies for the construction of four APR1400 reactors. The contract marked South Korea's first overseas nuclear order. Under the order, Kepco will provide the "full scope of works and services", including engineering, procurement, construction, nuclear fuel and operations and maintenance support. It will be assisted by its own subsidiaries and the other consortium members: Samsung, Hyundai Engineering and Doosan Heavy Industries.

 

UAE nuclear power plant (Enec)
An artist's impression of how the Braka plant may look (Image: Enec) 

 

As part of the consortium, it falls to Doosan Heavy Industries to supply the major components for all four reactors. Enec has applied to the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) for a limited licence to "manufacture and assemble nuclear safety related equipment." Enec has asked FANR to approve the limited licence by 5 July. This licence will enable Doosan to make the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, pressurizers and coolant pumps. Enec said it "would anticipate starting some of the manufacturing later this year" for these long-lead items.

 

In April, Enec announced that Braka had been selected as the site for the UAE's first nuclear power plant.

 

The schedule for Braka 1 sees the official start of construction - first concrete - coming in late 2012. Later this year should come applications for the full construction licence and nuclear environmental impact assessment.

 

Braka 1 is slated to operate in 2017, with its three sister plants following at one-year intervals.

 

The APR1400 is an evolutionary Generation III pressurized water reactor with its origins in the CE System 80+ model. It offers enhanced seismic safety and has a 60-year design life. Principally designed by Korea Engineering Company (Kopec), it produces 1400 MWe.

 

Researched and written 

by World Nuclear News