The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) Tuesday announced the completion of the construction of the concrete dome for the Unit 2 Reactor Containment Building (RCB), another major achievement in the development of the UAE’s nuclear energy program.

The dome is the final structural component of the vast RCB, which now measures more than 70 meters in height. The RCB houses the nuclear reactor and is a critical structure in the nuclear plant’s defense-in-depth barriers.

RCBs are extremely robust in design; with thick concrete walls and heavy reinforcing steel, they rank among the strongest structures in the world. They are designed to confine and contain radiation, even in the most extreme circumstances.

ENEC’s teams worked closely with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Hyundai/Samsung Joint Venture (HSJV) and Seoyong Construction throughout the complex RCB construction process.

“With the completion of the dome for Unit 2, we are proud to have maintained our track record of safety and efficiency. The construction of nuclear energy plants is immensely complex and not only involves highly technical infrastructure but thousands of people working under the highest standards of safety, security and quality,” ENEC’s CEO Mohamed Al-Hammadi said.

The dome, which measures 51.4 meters in diameter, 24 meters in height and weighs approximately 9,000 tons, has been constructed in nine stages. The next phase of work on the RCB will involve the installation of the containment post tensioning system.

The project at Barakah is progressing steadily, Unit 1 is now more than 87 percent complete, Unit 2 is 68 percent complete, Unit 3 is 47 percent complete and Unit 4 is 29 percent complete.

When the four reactors are completed, the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program will provide approximately 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity needs and save up to 12 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.