International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) most complex nuclear emergency exercise will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the last quarter of 2021. This is a 36-hour drill that takes place every three to five years in which more than 170 nations will participate, and this exercise will be held at the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast west of the capital Abu Dhabi, which is around 340 kilometers away from Iranian shores.
The exercise by the IAEA, which is called ConvEx-3, is designed to test the international responses and capabilities in the event of nuclear emergencies. This Level 3 Convention Exercise is the IAEA’s highest-level emergency exercise. The venue of exercise is very crucial for the UAE, the fourth largest crude producer in the OPEC group is spending billion to develop enough renewable energy sources to cover at least half of its energy demand by 2050.
The Barakah plant, a first in the Arab world, started in August 2020 when authorities of the nation gave the green signal for the first of four nuclear reactors, with the second reactor receiving the operational permit on the first day of the scheduled Drill. When fully operational, the four reactors will produce around 5,600 megawatts which are 25% of the country’s electricity need.
But Arabic region is grappling with multiple conflicts on all sides such as Yemeni rebels attacking Saudi and its oil facilities with drones and missiles. Iran to the east is heading to acquire weapons and, Yemen’s Huthis, backed by Teheran, and has already threatened to hit targets in the UAE soil including the Barakah nuclear plant, over its active involvement in the long-lasting Yemen war. Albeit, the Emirati officials told that they have granted the license to this nuclear plant after taking into consideration all these elements including cybersecurity, physical safety, and protection against any potential threat. Hence this international exercise is very momentous for the Emirati state.
