Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant suffers 16th blackout this year, now running on generators
Photo: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has experienced its 16th blackout since the beginning of the year (Getty Images)
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost off-site power overnight on November 8. This is the 16th blackout since the beginning of the year, reports Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear power company.
At 2:36 a.m. Kyiv time on November 8, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost power from its last operating 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 power line, which connected it to Ukraine's power grid.
An attempt to automatically reconnect the line was unsuccessful. Currently, the plant's own needs are being met exclusively by backup diesel generators.
Energoatom noted that this is already the 16th time the ZNPP has completely lost its external power supply since the beginning of 2026. The plant's loss of power poses a critical threat to nuclear and radiation safety.
Operating in blackout mode creates a direct risk of failure of essential safety and nuclear fuel cooling systems if the diesel generators break down or run out of fuel, which could lead to a radiation accident.
"The systematic loss of external power is a consequence of the occupation of the ZNPP. Restoring the plant's nuclear and radiation safety is possible only if it is fully returned to the control of Ukraine and its lawful operator, Energoatom," the company emphasized.
In September, we reported that the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remained in a difficult security situation. Water levels in the cooling pond are falling, while regular power outages threaten to result in a prolonged blackout.
Since occupying the ZNPP, Russian forces have been using the plant's territory for military purposes. Weapons and military equipment have been deployed on the facility's premises, and attack drones have also been launched from there.
