The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (Enec) chief executive officer, Mohamed Al Hammadi, has been appointed as the newest member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators’ (Wano) Atlanta Centre (AC) governing board.

The AC is one of Wano's four key regional centers worldwide and Al Hammadi’s appointment follows a unanimous vote at the board’s recent meeting.

His selection as AC governor serves to highlight the UAE’s continued collaboration with the global nuclear community and the high standards of safety, security and performance that Enec applies across all aspects of its programme, said an Enec statement.

Wano’s mission is to help every country and company involved in commercial nuclear operations to achieve the highest possible standards of nuclear safety through the exchange of information and best practice. Enec has been an active Wano member since 2010, regularly participating in the organisation’s workshops, events, training programs and peer reviews.

“It is an honour to be appointed as a governing board member for Wano’s Atlanta Centre. The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme is based on the best practices and cumulative experience of the global nuclear energy industry and since its inception has been guided by an extensive network of international organisations, including some of the world’s most renowned experts in nuclear energy from Wano,” said Al Hammadi.

“My appointment is yet another example of the international community’s confidence in the UAE peaceful nuclear energy programme," he said.

In his new role, Al Hammadi joins a panel of 19 AC governing board members from countries including the US, South Africa, China, Brazil, Canada, Romania and Mexico. The members collectively contribute to the oversight of the Wano Atlanta Centre’s activities, promoting engagement with Wano members at the highest level.

The board reports to the governing board chairman, Tom Mitchell, the president and chief executive officer of Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

The UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme continues to progress steadily with the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant now well under way in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.

The plant will eventually consist of four nuclear power generating units with a combined capacity of approximately 5,600 MW and their associated facilities, with Barakah Unit 1 now more than 73 per cent complete, Unit 2 now 50 per cent complete, and construction of the overall programme now more than 47 per cent complete.

In 2017, the organization’s first 1,400 MW Unit is scheduled for completion. Additional units will follow at 12 monthly intervals, with the fourth unit set to commence commercial operations in 2020, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.  - TradeArabia News Service