The Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, occupied by Russia since March 2022, is currently without external power supply. The Ukrainian atomic energy agency Energoatom reported that the last remaining 750 kV connection was cut off on Monday morning. All diesel generators of the nuclear power plant have been activated, and they have fuel for ten days. However, Energoatom warns that if external power supply is not restored during this timeframe, there may be an accident with radiation consequences for the entire world. The Ukrainian side blames Russia for shelling that caused the power supply disruption.
The Russian side confirmed that the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently not receiving external electricity, but reports that the reasons for this are being investigated. It states that the radiation levels of the power plant are normal. Meanwhile, the plant has not produced any electricity since September 11, 2022, and five of its six reactors are in a cold shutdown, and the last one is in a warm shutdown to cover the power plant’s own electricity needs. The cooling in the fuel rod storage pools on the site and in the reactors themselves is maintained with the help of the diesel generators, says Energoatom.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warns that the military situation around the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is becoming increasingly tense. Since the beginning of the war, the workforce has been greatly reduced and further reduced after evacuations. IAEA experts, who have been on the site since early September, noticed that the staff had decreased substantially. However, after the evacuations, a regular day shift returned to the nuclear power plant.
The Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant was supplied with electricity from four external lines before it was occupied by Russian troops in early March 2022. The last 330 kV line was damaged on March 1, 2023, according to the IAEA, and has not yet been repaired. Although the power supply was cut off a few times, it was restored each time. However, the IAEA warns that the situation is increasingly precarious, and the nuclear power plant may face an accident that could have global consequences if the external power supply is not restored soon.
