Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Ukraine: with the support of the IAEA, a new local ceasefire was agreed upon for repair work at the Zaporizhia NPP Peace and security
On Friday, a new local ceasefire, brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), came into force in the area of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine. It will allow the start of repair work aimed at restoring the station’s connection to the power grid and preventing a possible nuclear accident, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
As part of the current agreement, mine clearance and technical preparation work began this morning in the area of the damaged section of the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 power transmission line. Repairs are due to begin on Saturday, and crews expect to restore connectivity in the coming days. After completion of the work, the station will again have access to two external sources of electricity, which, according to the IAEA, will significantly increase its level of nuclear safety. The agency team at Zaporizhia NPP will monitor the repairs.
Two weeks ago, also thanks to agreements on a temporary ceasefire reached with the participation of the IAEA, the Dnieper power line with a capacity of 750 kV was restored. During work in late October, additional damage to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 line was discovered outside the originally agreed ceasefire zones. This led to a delay in its reconnection.
“The restoration of the external power supply to the largest nuclear power plant in Europe was an extremely important event for ensuring nuclear safety and protection,” Grossi emphasized.
“However, just one operating power line is clearly not enough, because before the war there were ten of them,” added he.
According to him, after “intensive and complex consultations with the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” it was possible to agree on another local ceasefire to carry out the work. overheating and possible release of radiation. In the event of a loss of external power, the station is forced to rely on backup diesel generators.
“Both sides are aware of the risks associated with a prolonged lack of power supply and a limited number of power lines at such a facility,” the head of the IAEA noted. “They have worked constructively with us to ensure these critically needed repairs can be completed.” However, the overall nuclear safety situation at the Zaporozhye NPP remains extremely unstable. We will be able to talk about success only when this destructive war ends without a nuclear accident.”