Another localised ceasefire brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has taken effect around a damaged power line north of the Dnepro River to enable key repairs and finally restore off-site power to the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP), which remains dependent on emergency diesel generators as fuel reserves run low.
“This is a much-needed step at a critical time for nuclear safety and security. With diesel fuel supplies under increasing strain, the damaged power line must be repaired without delay so reliable external power can be restored,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
The temporary ceasefire follows arrangements facilitated by the IAEA with both sides and has allowed repair work on the 330 kV Ferosplavnaya-1 line to start today after demining activities in the area. The repairs monitored by the IAEA, are expected to last a few days.
It is the seventh localised ceasefire brokered by Grossi during the conflict to allow for necessary repairs, as part of the Agency’s persistent efforts to help prevent a nuclear accident.
“Both sides have engaged constructively with the IAEA to help make this localised ceasefire possible. It is being implemented for the sake of nuclear safety and security and shows that practical steps can be taken, even in extremely difficult circumstances, to reduce the risks facing the plant,” Grossi said.
The ZNPP lost connection to its only remaining off-site power line on 20 August following military activity on the northern side of the Dnepro River. It was the 26th time during the conflict that the nuclear power plant has lost off-site power, highlighting the extremely fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site.
For more than two weeks now, emergency diesel generators (EDGs) have provided the electricity required for the site, most importantly for pumps that cool all six reactors and their used fuel pools. To minimise diesel fuel use in the absence of external electricity supplies, the site has reduced the number of operating EDGs from four to two over the past week.
This has nearly halved the amount of power available for plant use, and the IAEA team was informed earlier this week that the ZNPP has begun operating cooling pumps intermittently to maintain the temperature of the reactor primary circuits and spent fuel pools while limiting electricity consumption. The IAEA team has requested data from the plant showing which pumps have been operating and when, as well as reactor and used fuel pool temperature values since the loss of off-site power began.
“This is a deeply concerning situation. No nuclear power plant should have to reduce the operation of essential cooling systems in order to conserve diesel fuel. As long as the ZNPP remains without off-site power, reliable diesel fuel supplies are indispensable. Without the restoration of external power or the continued ability to deliver diesel fuel to the site, the plant could face a station blackout within days,” Director General Grossi said.
In a further step to strengthen preparedness in the event of worsening conditions, the IAEA team on 1 September observed the transfer of back-up safety equipment from the transport department in the industrial area to the site. This included a mobile diesel generator and a mobile diesel-driven pump for one unit’s used fuel pool, as well as spare parts, lubricating oil and anti-freeze.
The IAEA team at the ZNPP continues to hear military activity on a daily basis, often from what appeared to be a close distance. During the recent transfer of back-up safety equipment, the team heard several explosions and saw smoke in both eastern and southern directions.
ZNPP confirmed on its Telegram channel that repair and restoration work has begun to ensure the operability of the external power supply line. “The plant’s personnel monitor all safety parameters of the ZNPP around the clock. The situation is under control,” ZNPP said. “We expect the repair and restoration work to be successfully completed and the “Ferroalloynaya‑1” line to be put into operation as soon as possible.”
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said Russia will soon raise the issue with IAEA of resuming the supply of electricity to the ZNPP via the 750kV Dneprovskaya power transmission line, said. “I would like to draw your attention to the fact that carrying out successful repairs on the Ferosplavnaya-1 line does not guarantee the resumption of power supply to the nuclear power plant,” Likhachev said
Since 23 July, when the Dneprovskaya line was repaired, it has not been connected to the network. Likhachev said: “We will once again raise the issue of resuming electricity supply via the ‘Dneprovskaya’ line, as an element of reliable power supply for the ZNPP, with the IAEA leadership in the very near future.”
