Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s nuclear reactors will generate up to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity requirements once they are fully operational in 2020, according to Saeed Fadhel Al Mazroui, chairman of Nawah Energy Company, a joint venture between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco).

The UAE is building four nuclear reactors in Barakah in Abu Dhabi with an investment of $20 billion (Dh73.46 billion). The first one is expected to be completed this year and the remaining three in the following years.

“Once fully operational, these four reactors will generate up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity requirements. By utilising nuclear energy to generate electricity, the 5,300 MW plant will save millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, contributing to sustainability and environmental protection,” he said.

The company held its first board of directors’ meeting recently, since the joint venture agreement last year. On the same day, the General Assembly formally finalised the appointment of the members of the Nawah board.

The board was chaired by Al Mazroui, with David Scott as vice-chairman. Other board members include Mohammad Al Hammadi, Ahmad Mohammad Al Rumaithi, Fatima Mohammad Al Shamsi, Ahmad Matar Al Mazrouei, Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, and under the joint venture agreement, Jong Hyuck-park and Jong Hun-tae as representatives of the shareholder, Kepco.

The newly-constituted Nawah board is mandated to govern the performance of Nawah Energy Company and is responsible for holding the Nawah CEO and leadership team accountable for the company’s performance to the highest nuclear safety standards, as well as their operating and maintaining the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) safely, reliably and efficiently, according to a statement from Nawah Energy.

Mohammad Sahoo Al Suwaidi, Nawah’s acting chief executive officer, added that the company will fully operate the four nuclear reactors, safely, reliably and efficiently to deliver the vision of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme.