The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has experienced its tenth blackout: Energoatom has declared a critical threat to nuclear safety
15 July 00:21
The temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has once again lost its external power supply and was forced to switch to backup power from diesel generators. This was reported by the press service of NAEK Energoatom, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
This marks the tenth blackout at the ZNPP since the beginning of the year
According to Energoatom, during this latest incident, the Zaporizhzhia NPP completely lost its external power supply.
To ensure the operation of critical safety systems, the plant switched to backup diesel generators.
External power was subsequently restored.
The company noted that this is already the tenth blackout since the beginning of 2026, which is an unprecedented occurrence for Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
Energoatom: The situation is critical
The state-owned company emphasized that such a high number of complete losses of external power indicates a dangerous state of nuclear safety.
“This latest blackout confirms once again: as long as the Zaporizhzhia NPP remains under Russian occupation, the risks to nuclear and radiation safety will not disappear,” Energoatom stated.
The company reiterated that the only guarantee of the ZNPP’s safe operation is its de-occupation and return to Ukraine’s full control.
Why Blackouts Are Dangerous for a Nuclear Power Plant
Even when all power units are in a “cold shutdown” state, the plant requires a constant power supply.
Electricity is necessary for:
- operating the reactor cooling systems;
- maintaining the operation of spent nuclear fuel storage pools;
- control and safety systems;
- emergency equipment.
In the event of a complete loss of external power, the only source of electricity is backup diesel generators, for which fuel reserves are limited.
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The IAEA has repeatedly warned of the danger
Earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported a 15-hour blackout at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, stated at the time that the incident once again demonstrated the vulnerability of the energy infrastructure surrounding the plant and the need to ensure its safe operation.
Ukrainian intelligence reported military equipment at the Zaporizhzhia NPP
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russian military forces continue to use the plant’s territory for military purposes.
In particular, the occupying forces’ equipment is stationed directly in the machine rooms of power units 1, 2, 5, and 6, which further increases the risks to nuclear and radiation safety.
As a reminder, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was seized by Russian troops in March 2022.
Since then, the plant has repeatedly lost its external power supply due to hostilities and damage to energy infrastructure.
Ukraine and its international partners have repeatedly called on Russia to demilitarize the plant’s territory and return it to the control of its legitimate operator—NAEK “Energoatom.”
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