A view shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Dnipropetrovsk region
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, briefly lost all off site power overnight, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the outage highlighted ongoing risks facing the facility, which has remained under Russian control since March 2022. Although the plant is no longer producing electricity, it depends heavily on external power sources to cool nuclear material and prevent a potential meltdown.
Half Hour Outage Raises Safety Concerns Amid Ongoing Conflict
The IAEA reported that the plant was reconnected to a 330 kilovolt power line after about 30 minutes without power. During this period, safety systems faced increased pressure, a situation that has become more frequent due to continued military activity in the region. A separate 750 kilovolt line, which had also been disconnected earlier, was later restored by the Russian installed management overseeing the facility.
Radiation Levels Remain Normal Despite Power Interruption
Despite the temporary loss of power, the plant’s management confirmed that radiation levels remained normal throughout the incident. The restoration of both transmission lines allowed the facility to stabilize operations, easing immediate concerns over nuclear safety. The IAEA said it continues to monitor the situation closely due to the recurring instability of the plant’s power supply.
Overnight Strikes Disrupt Ukraine’s Electricity Grid
The IAEA added that widespread military engagements overnight affected Ukraine’s broader electricity grid. As a result, several of the country’s operational nuclear power plants were forced to reduce output to compensate for the strain on the system. The continuing conflict has placed significant stress on energy infrastructure, increasing the risk of further disruptions.
