IAEA confirms Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant runs on reserve power again
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
After months of work, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has regained backup power - for the first time in six months, the facility has been connected to the grid via the 330 kV line, according to a post by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on X.
The 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 power line was reconnected to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following repairs. This allowed the facility to have backup electricity for the first time in six months.
According to the IAEA, restoring this line is a significant milestone in ensuring the resilience of Ukraine’s largest nuclear power station.
IAEA’s view
The head of the organization, Rafael Grossi, emphasized that this is a decisive step for nuclear safety. He noted that following the restoration last month of the 750 kV Dniprovska line, the new connection significantly strengthened the stability of the plant’s power supply.
“Along with last month’s restoration of 750 kV Dniprovska line, this is a good day for nuclear safety,” the IAEA statement reads.
Context of the situation
Earlier, the agency reported that after nearly a month-long interruption, the Zaporizhzhia NPP’s power supply was partially restored. At that time, only one line was operational while the others were under repair.
Currently, IAEA experts continue to monitor the system and the process of fully restoring the plant’s energy infrastructure.
During a nighttime attack on November 8, Russian forces struck energy facilities, including substations that supply the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported. He stressed the urgent need to convene a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to discuss these risks.
Sybiha also stated that Russia is deliberately disconnecting the Zaporizhzhia NPP from Ukraine’s power grid in an attempt to test its connection to the Russian network - something he said is unprecedented in the history of nuclear energy.
