Emirates Nuclear Energy and Framatom announce the manufacture of nuclear fuel packages for Barakah

Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and Framatom announced the manufacture of the first nuclear fuel packages for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant at the company’s facility in Richland, United States of America.

This achievement comes as a milestone for the implementation of the nuclear fuel supply agreement that the two companies signed in July of this year, which aims to enhance the energy security of the UAE by diversifying the sources of nuclear fuel supplies.

The nuclear fuel bundles were manufactured at the advanced Framatome facility in Richland, USA, based on decades of experience in this field, and in accordance with the highest standards of quality and safety. Complete nuclear fuel assemblies will be supplied for testing at the Barakah plants.

On this occasion, Mohammed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and its group of companies, said that this partnership is an essential part of the company’s comprehensive strategy to ensure the flexibility and sustainability of nuclear fuel supplies to Barakah plants, as Framatom’s expertise and manufacturing capabilities are consistent with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company’s commitment to applying the highest standards of safety and performance.

Al Hammadi added: By strengthening the fuel supply chain for Barakah stations, the company continues to support its operational excellence and ensure its ability to produce stable, clean and safe energy around the clock, to supply the leading industrial and economic sectors in the country and local communities.

For his part, Gregoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome, said that the success in manufacturing the first nuclear fuel bundles is evidence of the dedication and experience of the work teams, and confirms the role of Framatome as a reliable partner in the global nuclear energy sector. He looks forward to continuing cooperation with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company to ensure the operation of the Barakah plants with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

A comprehensive testing program will be implemented before commercial use, within the framework of the fuel qualification program followed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company. This program aims to carefully evaluate and verify the safety, compatibility and performance levels of the new fuel design under actual operating conditions at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plants.

After completing the testing phases and verifying the results, the company will begin integrating these packages into operational processes, thus enhancing operational reliability and compliance with regulatory requirements.

It is worth noting that the production of nuclear fuel bundles took place at the “Framatom” facility licensed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the city of Richland, which received the highest rating in the US regulatory licensing performance review for 18 consecutive years.

This facility is based on more than 40 years of experience in the field of producing nuclear reactor fuel, having supplied more than 6,000 packages of this type. Framatom will also provide engineering support services from its headquarters in the United States in Lynchburg, Virginia.