ZNPP reconnected to Ukrainian power grid – IAEA

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been reconnected to the Ukrainian power grid.

According to Ukrinform, the office of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna was informed about this by its representatives at the site.

It is noted that engineers repaired one of the four main external power lines that have all been damaged during the shelling.

The restored 750 kilovolt (kV) line is now providing ZNPP with the electricity it needs for reactor cooling and other essential safety functions.

After the ZNPP lost the connection to the same 750 kV line two weeks ago, it first relied on electricity produced by the plant itself and then on back-up power lines linking it to the grid through the electrical switchyard of a nearby thermal power plant.

The three other main external 750 kV power lines remain down. All the ZNPP’s six reactors are in a cold shutdown state, but they still require power to maintain necessary safety functions. Since 5 September, the plant has not been providing any electricity to households, factories and others relying on it for their needs.

While the ZNPP’s power status has improved over the past week, the general situation for the plant located in the middle of a war zone remains precarious, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

As Ukrinform reported, the ZNPP, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, was captured by the Russian military on March 4. Since then, the invaders have deployed military equipment and ammunition on the site of the nuclear plant, shelling the surrounding area.

On September 6, the IAEA presented a report following its mission’s visit to the ZNPP. The document confirms that Russia has deployed military equipment on the plant’s premises.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for a full halt of hostilities around the ZNPP, urging for the creation of a nuclear safety and protection zone around the facility.

iy