Russian strikes destabilize power grid: three Ukrainian NPPs drastically reduce production
20 November 16:05
Three key Ukrainian nuclear power plants – South Ukrainian, Khmelnytsky and Rivne – have been forced to reduce electricity production after another round of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. This was stated by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who warned of the increasingly dangerous instability of the Ukrainian energy system, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
A blow to high-voltage networks
On the night of November 7, Khmelnytsky and Rivne NPPs lost connection to one of the key 750 kV power lines. Earlier, shelling had damaged an important substation, which has forced both plants to operate at reduced capacity for more than a week and a half.
The grid operator was also forced to order a reduction in output from some reactors to balance the grid.
The situation is getting worse – IAEA
According to the latest data from the agency, the plants are forced to reduce their power even further, as each of them has lost another high-voltage line. At Rivne and Khmelnytsky, the IAEA team was forced to go down to the shelters during another air raid.
The South Ukrainian NPP also lost access to a high-voltage power line, and on the night of November 20, 11 drones were spotted flying over the facility at a distance of about a kilometer.
Ukrainian generation under pressure
According to Grossi, four of Ukraine’s nine operating nuclear reactors are currently operating at reduced capacity as a direct result of recent Russian attacks.
“Zaporizhzhia NPP is not the only plant affected by the instability of the power grid. Military activities continue to affect the power grid across Ukraine,” said the IAEA Director General.
The IAEA has organized two more deliveries of equipment to Ukraine’s energy sector as part of its assistance program. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, there have been 176 such deliveries of equipment that helps to keep power plants operating in the face of constant threats.
According to IAEA estimates, Ukraine has to work in conditions of constant energy terror, which requires urgent modernization of facility protection and strengthening of infrastructure.
