🚨 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised alarms about the nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP). In recent days, the facility has lost connection to its only remaining 750 kV power line twice, putting critical safety functions at risk.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi explained at a quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors that the first outage occurred due to unspecified damage about 17 km from the ZNPP. This disconnection lasted just over 30 hours from last Saturday morning until repairs were made around Sunday noon. However, the plant experienced another loss of connection on Thursday morning.
With the 750 kV line down, the ZNPP is now relying solely on its 330 kV backup power line to maintain reactor cooling and other essential nuclear safety operations. Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the plant had access to four 750 kV and six 330 kV power lines, according to the IAEA.
These power line interruptions highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities and the critical need for stable energy sources to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, especially in conflict zones. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely to prevent any potential nuclear incidents.
