Nuclear safety at risk: the only backup line of the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been disconnected for over a week.

The Zaporizhzhia NPP relies on a single power line

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine has been receiving electricity for over a week through only one power line, which provides critically important functions for the station's nuclear safety. This information was disseminated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

'The only backup power line of the ZNPP with a capacity of 330 kilovolts (kV) was disconnected on May 7, leaving the station completely dependent on the only functioning line at 750 kV,' the statement says.

According to the IAEA, the damage to the power line occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine, but due to the ongoing military situation in the area, the Ukrainian power grid operator is currently unable to restore the line.

Unstable situation at the ZNPP

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed concern about the situation: 'Throughout the war, external power supply has remained the main “Achilles’ heel” for nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved in this regard.'

In December 2022, six reactors at the ZNPP were shut down, but they still require external power supply for safety. Before the onset of the Russian invasion, the station had access to ten power lines for reliable supply.

The IAEA team on the ground continues to monitor events at the station to provide updated information on the nuclear safety situation, which remains unstable.

After a series of events at the ZNPP that led to the station's dependence on a single power line, the nuclear safety situation has become extremely tense. The presence of only one power supply source can pose serious threats to the normal operation of the reactors and overall safety at the station. The role of the IAEA during this period is very important, as they provide international oversight and objective information about events on-site.