Ukraine’s energy system is under threat: IAEA records deterioration of the situation
22 December 09:42
The situation in the power system is currently in the worst condition since September 2024, when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began monitoring substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.
This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the IAEA statement.
It is noted that the last mission, conducted from December 1 to 12, 2025, included visits to more than ten substations critical to nuclear safety by providing nuclear power plants with the electricity needed to cool the reactor and other safety systems.
The mission was aimed at assessing the damage, reviewing the repair work and identifying practical steps to strengthen the resilience of external power supplies to Ukrainian NPPs.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that nuclear safety at the three operating NPPs in the government-controlled area remains under pressure due to ongoing military activities and damage to the power transmission infrastructure.
Power outages have caused power fluctuations and temporary power line outages at Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs. The IAEA recorded that the units were operating at reduced power to maintain grid stability and prevent equipment damage.
The IAEA team also confirmed that ongoing and deliberate attacks on critical network infrastructure have had a cumulative impact on plant operations and staff working conditions.
“Ongoing instability in Ukraine’s power grid continues to undermine nuclear safety. Attacks on Ukraine’s power grid are coordinated to maximize disruption, and their frequency and scale emphasize that the overall stability of the grid is deteriorating, not improving,” Grossi said.
In addition, it is noted that the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine temporarily lost external power supply early in the morning of December 13 for the 12th time since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, as both the main 750 kV Dniprovska power line and the 330 kV Ferrosplavna-1 backup power line were disconnected. All available emergency diesel generators automatically started up, providing continuous cooling and other important safety features. Both external power lines feeding the plant – the largest in Europe – have since been reconnected.
According to the IAEA, another incident occurred at ZNPP on December 15, underscoring the fragile nuclear safety situation at the plant. The transmission of electricity between ZNPP’s distribution point and the distribution point of Zaporizhzhya Heat and Power Plant (ZTPP) via an autotransformer became unavailable, which significantly reduced the flexibility and stability of the facility’s electrical configuration. An investigation revealed that the power line between the autotransformer and the ZTES distribution center was damaged due to military operations. We are currently exploring ways to repair the line.
It should be added that ZNPP is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant with six reactors. Russian troops seized it in March 2022. The plant does not generate electricity. The six reactors at Zaporizhzhia NPP have been in cold shutdown since 2022, relying on external power lines and emergency systems to prevent a complete blackout.
The IAEA maintains a permanent presence at the site to monitor safety amid ongoing shelling.
