Zaporizhzhia NPP faces blackout risk again after Russian shelling, third time this month

"Last night (November 30), due to enemy shelling, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost power from one of the two external power lines connecting the temporarily occupied plant to Ukraine's integrated energy system," the report states.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the provision of external power to the station, which is necessary for its safe operation, is once again under threat for the third time in November.

"Currently, the station is only powered by one transmission line. If the station is disconnected from external power, another full blackout will occur at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, posing a threat to radiation safety," the ministry added.

Restoration efforts

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko noted that for the third time in November, one of the transmission lines connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to Ukraine’s energy system was disabled due to enemy shelling.

"Ukrainian energy workers will begin restoration work as soon as the security situation allows," he said.

The minister further stated that only the return of control over the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to Ukraine could guarantee the safe operation of the largest nuclear plant in Europe, as every day of its occupation brings the ZNPP closer to disaster.

Situation at the ZNPP

Russian forces seized Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region in February 2022, when the invaders launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Along with Enerhodar, the nuclear plant was also captured.

Russian occupiers are not adhering to basic safety rules at the site. They not only store military equipment there but also accumulate personnel for deployment to the front lines.

It is worth noting that the ZNPP was on the verge of a blackout on November 16, and the same situation occurred on November 21. After the most recent incident, energy workers restored one of the power lines to the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP on November 23.