Emirati nuclear plant successfully starts up first reactor
A nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates
successfully started up its first reactor, authorities said Saturday.
The Barakah nuclear power plant in the Emirates’ far
western desert near the border with Saudi Arabia reached what scientists called
its “first criticality” on Friday. That’s when the nuclear chain reaction
within the reactor is self-sustaining.
The nuclear reactor ultimately will generate
electricity and be connected to the country’s power grid.
The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was
built by the Emirates with the help of South Korea. It’s the first nuclear
power plant on the Arabian Peninsula.
The U.S. has praised the Emirates’ nuclear program
for agreeing never to acquire enrichment or reprocessing capabilities, which
prevents it from being able to make weapons-grade uranium. The U.S. says that’s
a model agreement for other countries seeking nuclear power while also
encouraging the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.
