Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Faces Critical Safety Risks Amid Power Blackout

The temporarily seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been cut off from the Ukrainian power grid for six days already. The plant’s safety systems are powered by backup diesel generators. The head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate – the Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine, Oleg Korikov, stressed that the occupiers’ disregard of nuclear safety requirements and attacks on transmission lines could lead to events developing along the worst-case scenario, since diesel fuel reserves are unknown. Such remarks were made on September 29 in a statement by the press service of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.

“Ignoring the occupiers’ requirements and principles of nuclear and radiation safety, attacks by Russian troops on the transmission lines and their damage, and creating obstacles for Ukrainian specialists to restore these lines – all of these actions could well lead to the development of events along the worst-case scenario. At present, it is not yet known exactly what diesel fuel reserves exist at the ZNPP’s industrial site and how long the diesel generators will be able to operate to ensure the operation of safety systems and other safety-critical systems.”

According to the regulator’s head, the absence of external power supply to the ZNPP from the Ukrainian energy system creates serious threats to nuclear and radiation safety, and the exact diesel fuel reserves on the site and the duration of generator operation remain unknown.

“The lack of external power supply to the ZNPP from the Ukrainian energy system poses great threats to nuclear and radiation safety.”

What is known about the blackout at the ZNPP: on September 23, the temporarily occupied ZNPP experienced its tenth blackout since the occupation began. According to nuclear energy expert Olga Kosharna, the shutdown of the last power line occurred amid Russia’s plans to connect the station to the Russian power grid. Greenpeace Ukraine, based on satellite images from September 27, found that the loss of the last power line at the temporarily occupied ZNPP was linked to deliberate sabotage by Russian troops.

Context of the occupation and the IAEA presence: The Zaporizhzhia NPP was captured by Russian occupying forces on March 4, 2022, during the battles for Enerhodar. On March 12, 2022, the facility came under the control of the Russian company Rosatom. The station is further serviced by Ukrainian personnel under Russian control. On July 21, 2022, Russian troops relocated a significant amount of equipment and weapons to the machinery hall of Power Unit No. 1, thus violating international safety norms. The IAEA visited the ZNPP on September 1, 2022; in October 2022 the first of two rotations took place, and from 2022 to 2023 IAEA experts have continuously visited the plant. On June 9, 2023, due to a drop in water level, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate put Power Unit 5 into a cold shutdown. On September 2, 2023, the IAEA conducted its eleventh rotation, and in December 2023 the fifteenth rotation of experts took place.

According to the regulator, the occupiers inflicted economic damages on the ZNPP amounting to about 30 billion hryvnias, while the foregone profit for the operator Energoatom was more than 167 billion hryvnias. Today the ZNPP remains under occupation, and the plant’s personnel operate under pressure and under Russian management.

A Look at the Future and the Role of International Support

The situation regarding future developments requires strengthened international oversight and active steps from regulators. All parties are calling for a safe operating regime for the ZNPP and the restoration of stable power supply, which would minimize the risks of radiation consequences for neighboring countries. An important role here is played by monitoring the radiation situation, regular consultations with IAEA experts, and adherence to international safety norms during any activities at the site.

Meanwhile, the regulator notes that the destruction of power lines, the lack of transparent coordination, and prolonged occupation can create systemic risks for nuclear and radiation safety not only in Ukraine but also regionally. Therefore, a clear dialogue among international organizations, operators and authorities is important regarding safety guarantees, normal operation of the ZNPP, and a lawful operating regime.

Overall, the ZNPP situation underscores the critical need for crisis-readiness, the importance of restoring reliable energy supply, and adherence to international safety standards to avoid serious risks to people and the environment.