The Zaporiyia nuclear power plant reported this Monday that the external power supply has been restored, essential for keeping all safety systems of the plant operational and ensuring the cooling of radioactive material if necessary.
The facilities had been isolated from the power grid for nearly three weeks due to damage caused by the armed conflict. However, the ceasefire agreed upon by the parties and in effect since September 5 has made it possible to repair the power line, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
During this time, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe has been operating with diesel generators since August 20, although fuel reserves had been reduced alarmingly in recent days, making it essential to restore stable power supply as soon as possible.
At this moment, the Ferrosplavnaya-1 line is operating again thanks to the intervention of Ukrainian technicians and is providing power to the plant. "The systems of the plant have returned to their normal operating mode," the plant stated in a statement released on social media. The authorities of the plant are now calling for the reactivation of the Dneprovskaya line and normalizing the arrival of fuel.
The IAEA has emphasized that the return of external electricity is "crucial to help prevent a nuclear accident," according to the agency's director general, Mariano Grossi. "It is a very necessary advance given the risk of a blackout," he pointed out.
The international organization also recalled that this is already the seventh localized ceasefire negotiated by Grossi, who expressed his gratitude to Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation in allowing repair work. "The IAEA will continue its indispensable work to help ensure nuclear safety during the conflict," Grossi reiterated.
The Zaporiyia plant has been under Russian control since shortly after the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Its six reactors remain shut down and are not producing electricity.