Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, Completion Ceremony on the 16th... Moon's Attendance Uncertain Due to COVID-19 (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has completed fuel loading and is about to begin full-scale operation.

However, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the attendance of President Moon Jae-in at the completion declaration ceremony scheduled for the 16th of this month has become uncertain.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 4th that it has successfully completed fuel loading for the operation of the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE.

Nawah, the UAE nuclear power plant operating company established as a joint venture between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and KEPCO, completed fuel loading of the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and began preparations for full-scale operation after obtaining the operating license in February.

A KEPCO official stated, "This has become an opportunity to demonstrate the excellence of Korea's nuclear power technology and construction capabilities to the world," adding, "It has laid the foundation to firmly establish the basis for a second overseas nuclear power plant order."

As nuclear fuel has been loaded and the nuclear power plant is set to operate for the first time in an Arab country, it is expected to contribute to stable power supply within the UAE in the future.

The UAE government is reported to plan a completion declaration ceremony on the 16th ahead of the operation of the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. Although there was a possibility that President Moon would attend as the chief guest, his attendance has become uncertain due to the COVID-19 situation.

With the infectious disease crisis alert level raised to "serious," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who is the highest official responsible for the quarantine system, is also unlikely to attend.

A KEPCO official said, "Due to the impact of COVID-19, it is still undecided what scale the event will be held at and who from our government side will attend."

Meanwhile, KEPCO has been cooperating with Team Korea members to supply four units of the APR1400, Korea's first domestically developed export-type nuclear power plant, to Barakah since signing a contract with ENEC in December 2009.

A KEPCO official said, "With the fuel loading of the first unit this time as a milestone, we will further strengthen cooperation with the UAE side and do our utmost to support the operation of the subsequent units 2, 3, and 4."