nuclear-news

Military action near nuclear plants puts external power needs in spotlight

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi
suggests recent events means there may be a need for a fresh look at the
layout of external power lines. Grossi, responding to a media question
about whether nuclear power plant design safety standards needed to be
reviewed as a result of military action near them, said safety standards
were kept under constant review, although he did not feel there was a need
for a big overhaul.

However there was an increased emphasis on emergency
preparedness and response, he said, praising the reaction of the operators
of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE after an electrical generator
located outside the inner site perimeter of the NPP was damaged by a drone
on 17 May – “they demonstrated the professionalism, skills and preparedness
that nuclear safety demands every day”, he said.

“The UAE never imagined in
their wildest dreams that one day Barakah would be attacked,” he added at
the media briefing after his opening address to the IAEA Board of
Governors’ meeting. “I am sure that there will be analysis and evaluation –
there is going to be, for example, a further look into the layout of
external power supply lines … sometimes the connections and
inter-connections are not designed for situations where loss of outside
power could happen more frequently.”

 World Nuclear News 5th June 2026, https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/military-action-near-nuclear-plants-puts-external-power-needs-in-spotlight

June 9, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety