TRANSCO wins UAE nuclear plant power line deal
Abu Dhabi firm to transmit electricity from Barakah nuclear plant to grid
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed with the Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (TRANSCO) to allow the electricity from the Barakah nuclear plant to be transmitted to the UAE grid.
Under the Connection & Interface Agreement (C&IA) agreement, the energy generated from the four nuclear units at Barakah will be transmitted over TRANSCO’s power lines to the grid.
“This is a pivotal agreement and the result of hard work and a close collaboration between ENEC and TRANSCO,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC CEO.
The signing of this deal allows ENEC to prepare for the energization of the switchyard, which it says is an important milestone for the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program.
“The energization of electrical infrastructure is a safety test performed under the supervision of qualified experts to examine new electric equipment and verify its conformity to the regulatory requirements,” ENEC said in a statement.
Once the equipment is deemed satisfactory for service, it is turned over to the system operator.
Commenting on the agreement, Mohammed Bin Jarsh said: “We are pleased to support ENEC in what is a strategically important development for the UAE.”
Last September, ENEC announced that it had 18,000 people on-site at the Barakah plant, located in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, about 50km west of Ruwais.
Steady progress is being made on the four nuclear energy units in Barakah which, pending regulatory approval, are scheduled to be operative in 2020.
