IAEA: ZNPP reconnected to backup power supply
9 November 10:03
On Saturday evening, November 8, Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was reconnected to the second backup external power supply line. The reconnection took place after repairs were carried out during a temporary localized ceasefire at the plant that began the day before, with the mediation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This line has been out of service for six months, since May 7, [Komersant] reports.
“After today’s repairs, at 19:43 local time, the 330 kV Ferrosplavna line was reconnected to the Ukrainian nuclear power plant, providing much-needed backup power for the first time in six months,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on social networking site X.
He reminded that at the end of October, the 750 kV Dniprovska line was also restored at ZNPP and called it “a good day for nuclear safety.”
The damaged sections of the power line were located directly in the area of active hostilities during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Repair work began on the morning of November 8 after preliminary demining of the area three kilometers from the plant’s perimeter. The reconnection of the Ferroalloy line became possible after the damaged cable between the two towers was repaired under the supervision of IAEA experts.
The first of two power lines to ZNPP was restored on October 23
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said on state television that on October 23, Dniprovska, one of two power lines leading to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant seized by Russian troops, was reconnected. According to her, the tenth blackout at the plant since the beginning of the occupation lasted exactly one month.
Ms. Hrynchuk accused Russia of systematically shelling the power lines leading to the plant in order to break the connection with the Ukrainian power grid. At that time, a local temporary pause in the hostilities was also agreed upon to allow for the IAEA mediation.
Europe’s largest nuclear power plant remains under Russian control
The Zaporizhzhia NPP, which includes six power units with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts, has remained under the control of Russian troops since March 2022. All reactors are shut down but require constant cooling. The cooling system is supplied with electricity from an external grid. In the event of a power outage, diesel generators provide power.
