Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant once again loses power and switches to diesel generators - Energoatom

The temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has once again been cut off from the external power grid. To meet its own needs, the plant had to switch to running on backup diesel generators. It was reported on the evening of July 3 by the company JSC "NNEGC "Energoatom."

According to the operator, the power outage occurred at 4:46 p.m. due to the disconnection of the “Ferosplavna” overhead power line, which connected the ZNPP to Ukraine’s Unified Power System.

Energoatom emphasizes that regular interruptions in external power supply pose direct risks to the nuclear and radiation safety of a large industrial facility.

“A reliable power supply is critically necessary for the safe operation of the nuclear power plant and the functioning of the systems that ensure the cooling of nuclear fuel,” the company emphasized.

Experts note that due to the ongoing russian occupation, the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains consistently critical.

Energoatom states that the only way to restore the plant to safe operating conditions and ensure stable operation in accordance with international standards is the complete withdrawal of russian troops and the return of the facility to the control of the legitimate Ukrainian operator.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on the evening of June 10, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its external power supply due to russian shelling. To ensure the operation of critical safety systems, the plant was forced to switch to backup power sources.

The Zaporizhzhia NPP has remained occupied by russian troops since March 2022. Ukraine and its international partners have repeatedly emphasized that the militarization of the facility is unacceptable and that russia’s actions pose risks to nuclear safety.