The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) faced another power outage on April 16, marking the 14th such incident since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this latest event.
The outage occurred in the evening, with the facility losing all external power for approximately 40 minutes. The cause of the disconnection remains unclear, prompting immediate attention from IAEA representatives on the ground.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the serious implications for nuclear safety posed by these repeated power losses. He stated that the situation at ZNPP continues to be alarming, given the ongoing military actions in the region.
Since being seized by Russian forces on March 4, 2022, ZNPP has been under military occupation. Reports indicate that Russian troops have stationed military equipment and munitions at the site, while the plant itself has been subjected to shelling that has damaged power lines and disrupted operations.
Ukrainian personnel continue to operate the plant under Russian control, with some employees reportedly coerced into obtaining Russian citizenship and signing contracts with the state nuclear corporation, Rosatom.
In a notable incident on July 21, 2022, Russian forces relocated heavy military equipment and explosives to the turbine hall of reactor unit No. 1, raising significant concerns regarding compliance with international nuclear safety regulations.
The IAEA first deployed a mission to ZNPP on September 1, 2022, consisting of experts from various countries, excluding representatives from the UK, US, and Russia. The agency later doubled its presence at the site on October 7, 2022, following the first rotation of personnel.
On June 9, 2023, the Ukrainian Nuclear Regulatory Authority ordered the shutdown of reactor unit No. 5 due to decreased water levels caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station by Russian forces. Other reactor units have also faced operational restrictions.
As of September 2, 2023, the IAEA successfully completed its 11th rotation of experts at ZNPP, with a 15th rotation scheduled for December 2023. The ongoing conflict has reportedly caused damages to the plant amounting to approximately 30 billion hryvnias, with lost profits for Energoatom exceeding 167 billion hryvnias.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has once again lost external power, prompting an investigation by the IAEA. This incident underscores ongoing safety concerns amid the facility's military occupation by Russian forces, which has led to significant operational challenges and financial losses.