Zaporizhzhia NPP faces blackout threat from Russian shelling, says energy ministry
Photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP was on the verge of blackout
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, captured by Russian forces, is once again on the brink of blackout due to enemy shelling. Currently, the plant is powered by only one power line, according to the press service of the Ministry of Energy.
"Today, October 21, at 12:18, one of the two power lines connecting the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine's unified energy system was disconnected due to systematic enemy shelling," the statement said.
The press service noted that the external power supply for the plant, which is necessary for its safe operation, is once again under threat.
"In the event of a disconnection from external power, another complete blackout will occur at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, posing a threat to radiation safety," the Ministry of Energy added.
According to the press service, as soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will do everything possible to restore the power line to the ZNPP.
"Only the return of control over the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine can guarantee the safe operation of the largest nuclear power station in Europe," the statement said.
The ZNPP is the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world by total capacity. It is located in Ukraine, in the steppe zone near the former shoreline of the Kakhovka Reservoir in the Zaporizhzhia region, not far from the city of Enerhodar.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the ZNPP has been at the center of events. The Russian forces captured the station, creating an unprecedented situation for nuclear safety.
It should be noted that Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in early March 2022. The station has periodically been disconnected from backup power supply, with the last such incident occurring in October.
