U.A. E. to start building second nuclear plant in 2013

July 19, 2012 – MIDDLE EAST – Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp., the state company developing nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates, has begun construction of the first facility and will start the second in 2013. Safety concrete for the first unit was poured yesterday at the site in Barakah in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, Emirates Nuclear said today in a statement. Emirates Nuclear will apply for an operating license for the first unit in 2015 and will pour concrete for the second unit in 2013, it said. The first of the four 1,400 megawatt plants will be ready in 2017, with each additional unit becoming operational every year through 2020, according to the statement. The U.A.E. is aiming to be the first Gulf Arab nation to develop nuclear power. Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEP) (KEP) was awarded the contract to build the plants in 2009. –Business Week