Energoatom completely shuts down Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, disconnecting 6th power unit from grid

This was reported by Energoatom.

It was noted there that for the past three days, the 6th power unit has been working in island mode, feeding only its own needs of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at a critically low power level (from 114 to 140 MW), since all communication lines of the Zaporizhzhia NPP with the Ukrainian power system were damaged due to Russian shelling.

"Yesterday evening, after one of these communication lines was restored to its operational capacity, power supply of the Zaporizhzhia NPP's own needs became possible from the energy system of Ukraine. Therefore, a decision was made to shut down the 6th power unit and transfer it to the safest state - cold shutdown," Energoatom wrote. 

As reported by Energoatom, in the event of repeated damage to the lines of communication with the power system, the risk of which remains high, the Zaporizhzhia NPP's own needs will be powered by diesel generators, the duration of which is limited by the technological resource and the amount of available diesel fuel.

"Energoatom is taking all possible measures to organize the supply of additional batches of diesel fuel to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In order to prevent an emergency situation at the station, it is necessary to stop the racist shelling of the Zaporizhzhia NPP communication lines with the power system and create a demilitarized zone around it. After that, the communication lines will be able to be repaired, to ensure the inclusion and further safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP," Energoatom added.