Technical work has begun to restore off-site power to the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP), nearly a month after its complete loss of external electricity supplies on 23 September. Following weeks of complex negotiations, the Russian Federation and Ukraine both agreed to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) proposal to establish temporary ceasefire zones around two specific locations on opposite sides of the frontline, to enable their respective expert teams to conduct repairs on two power lines that were recently damaged during the military conflict.
Following de-mining activities, work started to repair two cables of the 330 kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line, which was disconnected from ZNPP on 7 May. After completion of the necessary de-mining of the specified area on the other side, repairs are to begin on the damaged section of the 750 kV Dneprovska line, which was disconnected on 23 September. IAEA teams will monitor and report on the progress of the repair work at the two locations, both situated several kilometres from the ZNPP.
The start of the repairs “marks a significant step forward in our determined efforts to restore off-site power to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant”, said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. “While it will still take some time before the plant is once again reconnected to the electricity grid – the repairs are expected to last about a week – there is now finally some light at the end of the tunnel.”
He added: “Both sides have engaged constructively with us to make this happen. There is a general understanding that the current situation benefits absolutely no one. It has been a challenging process as the power lines are in an active war zone and we first needed to create the necessary security conditions on the ground before repairs could proceed.”
Pending the restoration of off-site power, seven emergency diesel generators (EDGs) are currently operating to provide the plant with the required electricity for essential nuclear safety and security functions. Another 13 EDGs remain in standby mode.
“Depending on emergency diesel generators is the last line of defence for nuclear power plants. Virtually unimaginable before the war, it has now become an all-too-common occurrence. As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remains
ZNPP’s Director of Communications Yevgenia Yashina told RIA Novosti that repair of the damaged Dneprovskaya, power transmission line, is on schedule. “Repair work on the Dneprovskaya power transmission line, which is one of the lines providing external power supply to the Zaporizhia NPP, continues in accordance with the schedule,” she said. The work is scheduled to last seven days, she added.
ZNPP Director Yuriy Chernichuk confirmed that preliminary estimates suggested it would take about a week for specialists to restore the external power supply to ZNPP. “The work started after a ceasefire was agreed in the work area,” he said. “The agreement was reached thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, with the mediation of the Director General of the IAEA, Mr Grossi.”
According to ZNPP’s Telegram channel ZNPP personnel have started repair and restoration work on the damaged Dneprovskaya line. “The staff of the Zaporizhia NPP, together with the specialists of the Rosseti company began repair and restoration work on the damaged 750 kV high-voltage Dneprovskaya transmission line,” the statement said. It is noted that the Ministry of Defence had played a key role in ensuring that these works could be carried out in the area of active shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as the work of the power engineers would not be possible without the security guarantees provided by the military.
“We also express our gratitude to the diplomatic sector of our country, Rosatom State Corporation and the IAEA experts, whose cooperation made it possible to agree on political and technical conditions for restoring energy supply,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, ZNPP has received a 25-year permit to operate its used nuclear fuel storage facility, which will increase the plant’s safety. The Federal Service for Environmental, Technological & Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) issued the licence for ZNPP to operate its dry used nuclear fuel storage facility. The document was submitted in full compliance with the requirements of Russian legislation and regulatory documents related to nuclear energy.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the regulator for their unique work, comprehensive expertise, and well-considered decision that meets the highest safety standards,” said ZNPP Director Yuriy Chernichuk.
According to a decree issued by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, dated 5 October 2022, all previously issued permits for the ZNPP [issued by Ukraine] were to remain valid until new licences are issued in accordance with Russian legislation. The transition period for this process has been extended until 1 January 2028.
