Radioactive release possible at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: Reason
The risk of a radiation release increased at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (photo: Getty Images)
At the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on the night of December 2, a power outage occurred, posing a threat of radiation release into the surrounding environment. Emergency measures allowed the station to be connected only to a single power transmission line, says the acting head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, Oleh Koryukov.
According to him, on the night of December 2, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost power from the Ukrainian main line of 750 kV. Prior to this, the 330 kV line was disconnected. As a result, the station was completely de-energized and switched to power from diesel generators.
Koryukov added that later, power from the 750 kV line was restored; however, it is impossible to reconnect the NPP from the 330 kV line due to shelling.
He reminded that despite the occupation, the station is in operation, and all six power units are loaded with nuclear fuel.
"In any case, it is dangerous because residual heat is released, which needs to be dissipated into the environment. For this purpose, the entire complex of equipment and systems is designed and should be operated and serviced properly. This is not happening now. I'll give an example: each power unit currently releases thermal energy of approximately 700 kW. This energy needs to be dissipated. If the heat is not removed, the temperature will rise, and damage to nuclear fuel with a likely release of radiation into the environment may occur," said the acting head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.
Oleh Koryukov emphasized that pumping equipment is used to dissipate the specified amount of heat, which pumps water. This equipment has an electric drive, so it is crucial to maintain electrical voltage at the NPP for the operation of this equipment.
Threat of a radiation accident at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in the city of Enerhodar, which has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022, is facing a critical situation due to a power outage. Over the nearly two years of war, the station has repeatedly lost power from the Ukrainian energy grid due to hostilities and shelling, putting its reactors at the brink of a nuclear disaster.
On the evening of December 1, a power line Zaporizhzhia TES - Ferroalloy Plant with a voltage of 330 kV was severed. Additionally, at 02:31 during an air raid alert, the last line Zaporizhzhia NPP - Dniprovska with a voltage of 750 kV was de-energized.
Due to the blackout, the personnel of the Zaporizhzhia NPP switched the station to power its own needs from diesel generators. Later, power through the 750 kV power line was restored.
Currently, experts from the IAEA are present at the station. On December 5, the Agency's experts conducted another rotation of the ZNPP personnel.
The Russian occupiers have seized the territory of the station, several power units, and cooling ponds. They have also deployed military equipment and personnel within the station's premises.
