The UAE’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency has revealed that the country has applied to the nuclear regulator for the green light on its site at Bakra, on the Gulf coast.
Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the IAEA said in a statement to International Atomic Energy Agency 55th General Conference in Vienna, that in the light of the Fukushima disaster earlier this year that safe construction and operation are critical to its plans.
“UAE has completed the selection of a preferred site for construction of the first nuclear power plant, application for site selection has been filed at the regulator.”
“My country admirably recognises the efforts made by Japan to mitigate the consequences of this accident,” said Alkaabi. “In light of this unfortunate event, the UAE places utmost emphasis on nuclear safety and security as we take stern and progressive steps towards realizing a peaceful nuclear energy programme.”
Alkaabi added that the UAE has completed the selection of a preferred site for construction of the first nuclear power plant, application for site selection has been filed at the regulator.
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation spokesman Padriac Riley said last year that once approved preparation work would start at the Bakra site and he expected the first concrete to be poured in 2012.