UAE Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 Reaches 'First Criticality'... Operation Scheduled for First Half of Next Year

Exterior view of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). [Photo by Korea Electric Power Corporation]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Korea's first exported nuclear power plant, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, has successfully reached initial criticality.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 22nd that Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 has reached initial criticality. Criticality is the state in which the nuclear fission reaction inside the reactor is maintained steadily. Reaching initial criticality means the reactor has successfully achieved stable operation for the first time.

The initial criticality of Barakah Unit 3 came about one year after Unit 2 reached initial criticality. Previously, Unit 3 obtained its operating license in June, loaded fuel, and completed commissioning tests. Unit 3 plans to proceed with the remaining processes such as connection to the UAE power grid and stepwise power ascension tests, and is scheduled to begin commercial operation in the first half of next year. A KEPCO official explained, "It is significant that Unit 3 has entered the operational phase along with Units 1 and 2, which are already in commercial operation."

Meanwhile, Barakah Units 1 and 2 began full-scale operation in April last year and March this year, respectively. Once Unit 3 starts commercial operation in the first half of next year, it is expected to supply an additional 1400MW of power to the UAE power grid.