UAE presents national report on nuclear fuel, radioactive waste management

The UAE presented its fourth national report on spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management to the joint convention, which is conducting its seventh reviews in Vienna, Austria at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to state news agency WAM, the national report describes the legislative and regulatory measures taken by the UAE to meet its obligations in relation to the Joint Convention.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation issued and drafted six regulations containing requirements on managing radioactive waste such as ‘radiation protection and predisposal radioactive waste management in nuclear facilities’ and ‘decommissioning of facilities’, and is working on developing another regulation on ‘decommissioning trust fund’.

#UAE presents National Report on Spent Nuclear Fuel, Radioactive Waste Management #WamNews https://t.co/5rLM4vS3Dp

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The report also addresses options with regards to spent fuel and radioactive waste management. Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation  and its affiliates have taken some measures such as the design of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which provides sufficient capacity to store spent fuel in a pool made for every unit. In addition, concerned entities are working to look at long-term spent fuel management options for different scenarios.

Read: Unit 2 of Barakah nuclear energy plant connects to UAE’s transmission grid

The delegation also presented measures taken to address non-nuclear radioactive waste produced from medical and industrial facilities across the UAE. Currently, there are over 2,000 licensees using regulated material and radioactive sources in the UAE. These are used for medical, industrial and educational sectors as well as the oil and gas industry.

Moreover, the UAE delegation presented the efforts of national stakeholders to build Emirati capabilities in the nuclear sector in collaboration with several UAE educational and training institutions.

“The UAE’s fourth National Report to the Joint Convention is a collective effort of our national stakeholders to share with the public and international community our plans to manage spent fuel and radioactive waste and ensure the safety of the people and the environment,” said Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, UAE permanent representative to the IAEA.