Nuclear Monitor #933
Jan van Evert
On November 10th five drones were observed flying above the Doel nuclear power plant in Belgium, energy company Engie said. “Initially we had detected three drones, but then we saw five drones. They were up in the air for about an hour,” Engie spokesperson Hellen Smeets told POLITICO Monday morning. The Belgium police are investigating the incident. Doel is not far from the Dutch border, so inhabitants of the region reacted concerned when they heard about the drones. This is not the first time drones were spotted above the Doel nuclear power plant. In 2014 the same thing happened with one drone. In the same year drones flew over several nuclear facilities in France. In 2023, multiple drones were spotted flying near French nuclear power plants, prompting investigations into potential sabotage attempts.
What are the risks posed by drones? The first, of course, is the possibility of an attack with explosives. Although nuclear power plants are shielded by a thick concrete dome, according to a British security expert, many barriers are ‘outdated’ and not designed to keep out advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Some incidents suggest that drones equipped with small explosives or flammable payloads could target cooling systems, transformers, or spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.
The most realistic scenario in which a drone could cause damage is when the power plants connection to the high-voltage grid is sabotaged. A well-coordinated flight by a drone equipped with a long piece of electricity cable could cause a short circuit and fire in the high-voltage section. This may require the power plant to be disconnected from the grid for an extended period of time.
Several countries, including France and Germany, have introduced drone-neutralizing technology. However, defending a nuclear power plant against drones remains challenging, as they can be operated remotely and are increasingly difficult to track.
Sources:
Belgium flounders as 5 drones buzz nuclear power plant – POLITICO
https://www.dronewatch.nl/2014/12/21/vormen-drones-werkelijk-een-gevaar-voor-kerncentrales/
