Repair Efforts Underway for Power Lines at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Amid Ongoing Conflict

Repairs have commenced on the damaged power lines supplying Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after an extended blackout, attributed to the establishment of local ceasefire zones, as announced by the UN’s nuclear regulatory agency on Saturday.

Since being occupied by Russian forces in March 2022, the plant lost its connection to the external power grid on September 23 for the tenth time, marking the longest period without power since the onset of the Russian invasion.

According to Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), repair efforts on the off-site power lines began after «local ceasefire zones were established to facilitate the work.»

The IAEA noted that both parties had collaborated with the agency to enable the «complex repair plan» to move forward.

«Restoring off-site power is essential for ensuring nuclear safety and security,» the agency emphasized.

It did not specify the duration of the repair work, but previously mentioned that repairs are required on both sides of the conflict, several kilometers from the facility.

Since the power outage, the largest nuclear plant in Europe has been relying on backup diesel generators. The IAEA has confirmed that safety measures have been upheld, with the reactors receiving effective cooling.

Situated near Enerhodar along the Dnieper River, this nuclear power plant is located near the frontline of the conflict.

Before the war, its six reactors provided approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s electricity but were shut down after Moscow assumed control.

Nonetheless, the facility requires electricity to operate its cooling and safety systems to avert potential disasters.

At the start of October, Russian officials claimed the situation in Zaporizhzhia was «under control,» following concerns expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have consistently accused each other of endangering nuclear safety by conducting attacks on the site and have blamed one another for the recent power outage.