ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has selected a site for a nuclear energy complex.   

Officials said the nuclear complex would be built along the Gulf, with the first reactor expected for operation in 2017. South Korea's Korea Electric Power Co. (Kepco) has been selected to build all four reactors in a project valued at $20.4 billion. The state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy, known as Enec, would operate the facility.

"The value of the contract is the same as was announced in December," Al Qahtani said along the sidelines of a nuclear conference in Abu Dhabi on March 17.

In December 2009, Kepco was awarded what industry sources termed the largest single nuclear contract. Under the contract, the South Korean firm would complete all four nuclear reactors by 2020.

Officials said the UAE had examined 10 locations for the nuclear complex. They said a site has been designated and would be announced by May 2010.

"Enec is doing everything it can to ensure accurate communication," Al Qahtani said.

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