Ukraine power plant lost connection to only backup powerline for 36 hours, IAEA director said

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant lost connection to the only remaining backup powerline needed to cool its six reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general.

According to a statement by the agency Thursday, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) disconnected Tuesday morning from its backup 330 kilovolt line, forcing it to be dependent on its sole 750 kilovolt line. The line was restored Wednesday evening, and the release said it was not clear what caused the loss of power.

Prior to February 2022, when the conflict between Ukraine and Russia began, ZNPP had four 750 kilovolt lines and six 330 kilovolt lines available, the statement said.

“The off-site power situation remains a deep source of concern. This week’s loss of the 330kV power line shows that the situation is not improving in this regard, on the contrary,” IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said in the statement. Grossi added that the loss of connection underlines “the fragility of the electricity supplies it needs to cool its six reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team stationed at ZNPP said shelling from an alleged artillery strike destroyed a transformer at Raduga electrical substation that would provide backup power to ZNPP’s industrial area.