The Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, 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 centres worldwide and Al Hammadi's new appointment follows a unanimous vote at the Governing Board's most recent meeting in June. The selection of ENEC's CEO as the latest 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. 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 practices. ENEC has been an active WANO member since 2010, regularly participating in the organisation's workshops, events, training programmes and peer reviews. "It is an honour to be appointed as a Governing Board Member for WANO's Atlanta Centre. UAE's peaceful nuclear energy programme is based on 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. I look forward to engaging with fellow board members to continue to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability at all nuclear power plants around the world," he added. 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 into the Governing Board Chairman, Tom Mitchell, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Power Generation. Other respected members on the board also include senior representatives from global nuclear organisations such as the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, China Huaneng Group, Bruce Power and Exelon Corporation, amongst others. Commenting on the appointment, WANO Atlanta Centre Director, Dave Garchow, said, "I am delighted to welcome Mr. Al Hammadi to the WANO Atlanta Centre Governing Board, representing the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. AC Governing Board members help to ensure the organisational alignment of the Atlanta Centre and promote a strong worldwide spirit of cooperation. We are looking forward to his active participation and involvement in the Board." The UAE's peaceful nuclear energy programme continues to progress safely and steadily, with the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant now well underway 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% complete, Unit 2 now 50% complete, and construction of the overall programme now more than 47% complete. In 2017, the organisation's first 1,400 MW Unit is scheduled for completion. Additional units will follow at twelve monthly intervals, with the fourth unit set to commence commercial operations in 2020, pending regulatory reviews and licensing.
