Strike near UAE reactor revives concerns over nuclear plant safety in wartime

A drone strike targeted the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates and cut off external power to reactor unit 3 for about 24 hours. The reactor relied on emergency diesel generators after the loss of vital off-site power. The UAE reported that three drones originated from Iraqi territory, with two intercepted and one reaching the site and causing a fire near the four-reactor plant that supplies about a quarter of the country’s electricity. The UAE said the strike hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter, raising concerns about potential damage to the switch yard. The nuclear safety regulator reported no radioactive release. The IAEA stated off-site power was restored earlier on Monday, ending the need for diesel generators.

"Reactor no 3 at the Barakah nuclear plant lost vital off-site power for about 24 hours after the attack on Sunday, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators. The UAE's defence ministry said on Tuesday that three drones targeting the plant had originated from Iraqi territory, suggesting a pro-Iranian proxy group was most likely to have been behind the strike. Two were intercepted, but one got through, causing a fire near a four-reactor plant that supplies the UAE with a quarter of its electricity."

"The UAE said the strike hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter, raising fears it could have hit the switch yard which lies just beyond a wall around the site's reactors. It is the first time a fully operating nuclear power plant has had to rely on backup generators as a result of a military attack, at a time when reactors in Ukraine and Iran are also threatened by war."

"The UAE's nuclear safety regulator said the attack did not cause any radioactive material to be released, though it was notable that it had not proved possible to completely defend a critical site from drones. Experts told the Guardian there should have been sufficient power available from the other three reactors on-site, but this does not seem to have immediately been the case, possibly because of damage to the switch yard, which routes electricity in and out."

"On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been told by the UAE that off-site power to unit No 3 had been restored earlier today, meaning that the reactor no longer needs emergency diesel generators for power. Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA nuclear watchdog, said nuclear sites and other installations important for nuclear safety must never be targeted b"

Read at www.theguardian.com