Repair efforts are underway for the damaged off-site power lines feeding Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been offline for a month, according to officials on Saturday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), led by Director General Rafael Grossi, announced that restoration work commenced after local ceasefire zones were designated to facilitate the repairs.
Currently, the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest with six reactors, is not generating any electricity, raising concerns about the potential for a nuclear incident if the reactors cannot be kept cool without an external power supply. Grossi stressed the importance of restoring power for nuclear safety and security, noting constructive engagement between both parties with the IAEA to allow the complex repair plan to move forward.
Both Ukrainian authority officials and the Russian-aligned management of the plant confirmed that maintenance activities have begun. The facility was captured by Russian forces during the early stages of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has frequently been disconnected from the power grid amid ongoing conflict. The current outage is notably one of the longest experienced by the plant.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk emphasized the significance of linking the plant back to the Ukrainian power grid for its stable operation and the prevention of any nuclear emergencies. Meanwhile, the Russian management indicated that the Russian Defence Ministry would be instrumental in supporting the safety of repair activities.
This situation is particularly critical given the history of accusations exchanged between Kyiv and Moscow over attacks that jeopardize nuclear safety. The Zaporizhzhia facility, situated near the front line near Enerhodar along the Dnipro river, remains a focal point in the ongoing hostilities.
Despite the ongoing military tensions, the concerted efforts to initiate repairs reflect a commitment to nuclear safety and underscore the resilience of the parties involved in mitigating crises arising from the conflict. This cooperative spirit can be seen as a crucial step toward ensuring the security of nuclear facilities, reinforcing hopes for stability in a region deeply affected by ongoing violence.