DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ only nuclear power plant is “well guarded” against security threats, it said on Wednesday, following a series of unprecedented drone and missile attacks on the Gulf state.
Yemen’s Iran-linked Houthis said they fired cruise missiles at the Barakah facility in 2017, a report the UAE denied. The group has repeatedly threatened to target critical infrastructure in the UAE.
The Houthis have claimed three drone and missile attacks on the UAE this year, with another claimed by a little-known group. Three people were killed and more injured in Abu Dhabi on 17 January.
Christer Viktorsson, Director-General of the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Agency (FANR), said, “The nuclear power plant has been designed according to high safety principles and we have published regulations for physical and cyber security.” Said.
“The sensitive parts of the power plant are well protected for any event,” he told reporters. The UAE generally has “solid security”, he added.
A Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis overthrew the internationally recognized government from Sanaa. The movement says it is fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.
The facility in Abu Dhabi, one of the UAE’s seven emirates and the country’s capital, is the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant and is part of the oil producer’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Barakah will have four reactors with a total capacity of 5,600 megawatts, equivalent to 25 percent of the UAE’s needs. The first unit began delivering 1,400 MW to the national grid in April 2021.
Viktorsson said Unit 2, which was licensed to operate in March 2021, is being tested and is expected to contribute 1400 MW to the national grid soon. FANR hopes to issue the operating license for Unit 3 later this year, when facility operator Nawah Energy demonstrates that regulatory requirements are met.
Nawah can then initiate an eight to nine month test phase followed by national grid connection.
He said that about a year after Unit 3 was issued, a license to operate Unit 4 is expected.
UAE to buy Chinese plane
Meanwhile, the UAE defense ministry said on Wednesday it plans to purchase a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft as it seeks to strengthen its defenses after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels.
In December, the UAE threatened to cancel its massive purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting strict conditions amid Washington’s concerns over China.
The UAE defense ministry said it plans to sign a contract with China’s National Aerospace Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) to purchase 12 of the L15 trainer and light fighter aircraft, with the option of 36 additional jets of the same type. Emirati news agency WAM reported.
We have reached the final stage in our negotiations with the Chinese side. The final contract will be signed soon,” said Tareq Al-Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council.
WAM said Tawazun, the Emirate’s defense and security purchasing authority, is working to “develop the UAE’s defense capabilities and achieve its strategic priorities”.
The US and UAE have yet to finalize a $23 billion arms deal involving F-35 warplanes.