Zaporizhzhya NPP. Photo: Energoatom
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under temporary occupation, has once again become the epicentre of danger. This week, ZNPP has twice been on the verge of a complete blackout due to constant shelling by Russian troops.
Power engineers have managed to quickly restore one of the high-voltage overhead lines connecting the plant to the integrated power system of Ukraine. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine on Saturday, 23 November.
“One of the power lines damaged by the shelling has been restored. The plant is now able to receive electricity via two power lines again. I am grateful to the power engineers for their work,” said Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The threat remains
Despite the restoration of the line, the situation at the plant remains critically threatening. Minister Galushchenko stressed that the constant shelling and Ukraine’s lack of control over the plant pose huge risks to the safety of ZNPP and the surrounding regions.
“I emphasise once again that only the return of control over NPPs to Ukraine can guarantee the safe operation of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant,” the Minister concluded.
Risks for the power system and the population
ZNPP remains one of the key facilities of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Continuous damage to power lines due to shelling poses a risk to stable energy supply in the region and increases the threat of radiation hazards.
Experts once again call on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to ensure demilitarisation and return of the facility to Ukrainian control.
