Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed heralded a group of Emirati engineers who will be making history when they take charge of the country's first nuclear power plant.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces offered a royal welcome to the group of 22 newly certified nuclear operators at Qasr Al Bahar.

The operators were granted licences from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and are set to play a role in the functioning of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra.

Construction of the $25 billion (Dh91bn) facility began in 2011.

The reactors are not expected to start producing electricity until early 2020.

''The group has earned the confidence and lived up expectations of the nation's leadership in building a better a future that will befit our future generations," Sheikh Mohamed said.

"Emirati talents have proven their merit and presence, and lived up to the expectations pinned on them. They have succeeded in accomplishing outstanding achievements in various areas.

"Emirati talents have considerable potential and innovative capabilities and we are confident that they can operate the first peaceful nuclear energy project in the Arab world, according to the highest international standards of operational transparency, safety and security."

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his confidence in the ability of the workforce to make the plant a model for all new nuclear energy projects around the world

The 22 engineers took part in a three-year training programme developed by Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, combining hands-on experience from some of the industry’s leading engineering and nuclear energy experts.