Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant starts power restoration after blackout, IAEA reports
Photo: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (Getty Images)
After intensive consultations with representatives from Ukraine and Russia, the process of reconnecting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to the power grid has begun, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
According to him, the work involves repairing the damaged 750 kV Dniprovska and 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 power lines, which are located on opposite sides of the front line.
These lines are intended to provide the plant with external power to cool six shutdown reactors and the spent fuel.
"While it will still take some time before the grid connection of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant has been restored, the two sides have engaged with us in a constructive way to achieve this important objective for the sake of nuclear safety and security. No one stands to gain from a further deterioration in this regard," Grossi said.
Blackout at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
On September 23, Energoatom reported the tenth blackout at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Russia has deliberately prevented the plant from reconnecting to the energy supply.
The company noted that the last external power line connecting the plant to Ukraine's energy system had stopped working.
As a result, the Zaporizhzhia NPP switched to diesel generator power.
This situation could lead to a nuclear accident, as external electricity is needed to cool the nuclear reactors.
The IAEA also emphasized that after the plant was disconnected from external power sources, the nuclear safety situation at the plant remained serious.
