The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has celebrated the second edition of its Barakah Excellence Awards, an internal recognition program inspired by the Abu Dhabi Excellence in Government Performance Awards, of which ENEC was awarded Most Distinguished Government Entity in 2015. Launched in 2014, the Barakah Excellence Awards aim to inspire excellence in performance at all levels and across all divisions of ENEC and show appreciation of committed employees. The Awards spread awareness of the importance of maintaining a culture of quality and transparency, while also motivating departments and individuals to enhance performance through the creation of a positive competitive environment. During the ceremony at ENEC's headquarters, ENEC CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi said: "Excellence permeates our business and is seen throughout our day-to-day tasks. Our vision is based on the implementation of the highest international standards for operational efficiency, management, quality, and performance. The Barakah Excellence Awards exist to recognize the hard work and dedication displayed by all our employees, at every level, as we strive to deliver safe, clean, efficient, and reliable nuclear energy to power the future growth and prosperity of the UAE." "At ENEC we promote and apply excellence concepts according to national and international best practices by working closely with international organizations such as the IAEA and also our local regulator the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. We are inspired by our leadership that the concept of excellence is not a destination but an endless journey and this is engrained across all divisions in our corporation," added Al Hammadi. The four units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are scheduled for completion in 2020, with construction having started in 2012. With four reactors online, the facility will deliver up to a quarter of the UAE's electricity needs and save up to 12 million tons in carbon emissions every year. The project at Barakah is progressing steadily. Overall, construction of Units 1 to 4 is now more than 74 percent complete. All four units will deliver safe, clean, reliable and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing. — SG
