The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (ENEC) Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Al Hammadi, has been appointed as the newest member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators’ (WANO) Atlanta Centre governing board.
The Atlanta Centre is one of WANO’s four key regional centers worldwide and Al Hammadi’s new appointment follows a unanimous vote at the Governing Board’s most recent meeting in June.
ENEC has been an active WANO member since 2010, regularly participating in the organisation’s workshops, events, training programs and peer reviews.
“It is an honor to be appointed as a Governing Board Member for WANO’s Atlanta Centre. The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program is based on the best practices and cumulative experience of the global nuclear energy industry and since its inception has been guided by an extensive network of international organizations, including some of the world’s most renowned experts in nuclear energy from WANO,” commented Al Hammadi.
“My appointment is yet another example of the international community’s confidence in the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program. I look forward to engaging with fellow Board members to continue to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability at all nuclear power plants around the world.”
In his new role, Al Hammadi joins a panel of 19 AC Governing Board members from countries including the US, South Africa, China, Brazil, Canada, Romania and Mexico.
The members collectively contribute to the oversight of the WANO Atlanta Centre’s activities, promoting engagement with WANO members at the highest level.
Other respected members on the board include senior representatives from global nuclear organisations such as the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), China Huaneng Group, Bruce Power and Exelon Corporation, amongst others.
The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program continues to progress safely and steadily, with the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant now well underway in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, ENEC said.
The plant will eventually consist of four nuclear power generating units with a combined capacity of approximately 5,600 MW and their associated facilities.
The plant’s Unit 1 is now more than 73% complete, Unit 2 — 50% complete, with construction of the overall program now more than 47% complete.
The organisation’s first 1,400 MW Unit is scheduled for completion in 2017. Additional units will follow at twelve monthly intervals, with the fourth unit set to commence commercial operations in 2020, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.
