Zaporizhzhia NPP on brink of blackout due to Russian attacks: One of power lines cut off
Illustrative photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP on the brink of blackout due to Russian attacks (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, February 11, one of the two power lines supplying the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was cut off due to enemy shelling. The Zaporizhzhia NPP is once again on the brink of a blackout due to Russian attacks, according to the Ministry of Energy on Facebook.
According to the ministry, the nuclear power plant is currently connected to Ukraine’s power grid by only one transmission line. However, energy workers will be able to begin restoring power through this line as soon as the security situation permits.
“Once again, the Zaporizhzhia NPP faces a real threat of blackout due to enemy attacks — one of the two power lines connecting the temporarily occupied plant to Ukraine’s unified energy system has been cut off. Due to the Russian occupation of the plant, the situation at the NPP remains dangerous, and only the return of control over the plant to Ukraine can guarantee the safe operation of the largest nuclear power station in Europe,” said Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
Occupation of Zaporizhzhia NPP
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, has been under the control of Russian forces since March 2022. Russia continues to pose a threat to nuclear safety in Ukraine, Europe, and the world. The IAEA regularly calls on Russia to demilitarize the plant’s territory, but the situation remains critical.
According to available information, Russia is storing military equipment and ammunition on the plant’s premises, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, it is conducting so-called “exercises,” using the plant for military purposes.
We also recently reported that the IAEA postponed the rotation of its mission at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP due to the lack of security guarantees from Russia.
