Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant left without electricity — IAEA
Photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP disconnected from external power supply (Getty Images)
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was left without any external power supply this morning, according to the IAEA.
What happened at ZNPP
This morning, the last external power line at the Zaporizhzhia NPP went offline. The plant completely lost its external power supply.
To ensure the safety systems continued to operate, backup diesel generators automatically kicked in. The IAEA team, which is permanently stationed at the site, is monitoring the situation.
What IAEA says
"The loss of external power supply once again highlights the risks to nuclear safety during the conflict," the organization quotes IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
At the same time, the agency is negotiating with both sides regarding a new local ceasefire, it is needed to repair another power line that could restore external power to the plant.
Not the first such incident
On March 24, the Zaporizhzhia NPP had already lost connection to the key 750-kV Dniprovska power line.
At that time, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was left with only one backup line, and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced the start of negotiations on a local ceasefire to repair the damaged section.
Meanwhile, in early March, after more than three weeks of being offline, the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 high-voltage line resumed operation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
This was made possible by a temporary ceasefire agreed upon by the IAEA with both sides of the conflict.
Back in late February, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a local ceasefire to repair the 330 kV backup power line. Demining operations were also underway in the repair zone before the start of work.
