Ukraine’s nuclear plants reduced electricity due to military presence, IAEA said

Military activities are targeting Ukraine’s energy and nuclear infrastructure, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement Saturday.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said in the statement that the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants were not directly impacted nor did they shut down, but their substations sustained damage. The IAEA did not say how, when or by whom the substations were damaged. 

“The country’s energy infrastructure is extremely vulnerable, directly impacting nuclear safety and security,” Grossi said. “We are still assessing the full extent of the damage.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 for the second time since 2014. 

The statement also said that IAEA teams based at the plants sought shelter while hearing air defense activities and an explosion. So far, two 330 kilovolt power lines were unavailable.

The three power plants have nine currently operational reactors, and six reduced electricity output over the weekend. Two still operate at 100%, while one is shut down.

The nuclear power plants use their connections to the electric grid to transmit electricity produced and receive power for reactor cooling from off-site power generation.