The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is actively engaging with both parties in the Ukraine conflict to restore external power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe’s largest nuclear facility. The plant has been operating on emergency diesel generators since 23 September, after losing offsite power due to nearby military activity—the 10th such power outage since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed the critical nature of the situation: “The plant has been without external power for over a week, which is the longest-lasting outage during the conflict. Neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident.”
The plant, under Russian control, is running eight emergency diesel generators, with additional units on standby. While repair parts and personnel are available, military activity nearby prevents restoration of the damaged power line. Ukraine has offered to repair a backup line disconnected since May, but security conditions have stalled efforts.
Although the reactors have been shut down for over three years, reducing radioactive risk, a complete blackout without emergency power could lead to fuel meltdown, prompting the IAEA to maintain mobile diesel generators on site. Radiation levels remain normal, and the plant has fuel reserves for over 10 days of generator operation.
Grossi emphasized: “It is extremely important that offsite power is restored. All efforts must be made to prevent a nuclear accident, which is in no one’s interest.”
The IAEA has maintained a monitoring presence at ZNPP since September 2022, receiving frequent safety updates, including cooling water temperatures, to ensure nuclear fuel remains safely cooled.
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