Zaporizhzhia NPP faces blackout risk again, for second time this week
Photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP (Getty Images)
On November 21, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was on the verge of a blackout for the second time in a week due to Russian shelling, the Ukraine's Ministry of Energy reports.
"Enemy shelling has knocked out one of the two power lines supplying the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP. Currently, the station is connected to Ukraine's energy system by just one power transmission line," the Ministry stated.
If the remaining line goes down, the Zaporizhzhia NPP will experience a complete blackout.
"For the second time this week, the Zaporizhzhia NPP faces a real risk of blackout due to Russian shelling. Today, a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors will take place in Vienna. We insist on the urgent and full implementation of the resolution to return the occupied station to Ukraine's control. This is the only way to ensure the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP," said Ukraine's Minister of Energy German Galushchenko.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy also noted that energy workers would begin restoring the plant's full power supply as soon as the security situation permits.
Situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP
The city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the nuclear power plant is located, fell under Russian occupation in February 2022, along with the facility itself.
Since then, Russian forces have violated operational safety protocols at the plant. Reports indicate that Russia has stationed military equipment and personnel on the plant's territory, using them for deployment to the frontlines.
Due to these violations, the plant is constantly under threat, including the risk of blackouts. For instance, Zaporizhzhia NPP faced a similar blackout threat on November 16.
