Grossi urges “all sides” to secure nuclear safety as situation at ZNPP “remains perilous”

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said this in a statement.

“The ISAMZ team (IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia - ed.) was informed that the connection to the 750 kV line may be disconnected for an unknown period of time to perform maintenance/repairs on the line. Currently, there is no information as to if or when this may occur or for how long. It is vital that there is the necessary coordination and communication between the Ukrainian electrical grid dispatcher and the plant,” the statement says. 

The IAEA emphasized that for three weeks the ZNPP has been receiving external power supply from only one 750 kV main external power line.

“Though all six reactors at the ZNPP are in shutdown, with two in hot shutdown, the plant needs off-site power to perform essential nuclear safety and security functions. Without the back-up line, any damage to the 750 kV line will result in total loss of all off-site power to the plant,” the statement says. 

The IAEA also reminded that on March 9, the ZNPP lost all external power supply for 11 hours, which is why the plant had to switch to emergency diesel generators to cool the reactors.

“The situation at the plant remains perilous. Nuclear safety at the ZNPP remains in a precarious state. I once again call for a commitment from all sides to secure nuclear safety and security protection at the plant,” Rafael Grossi said. 

Repairs to the last backup line were initially scheduled for March 5, then for March 10 and 13, but reconnection was not possible. The new date for the line restoration is March 23.

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• Energoatom names most likely scenario for Zaporizhzhia NPP de-occupation. Найбільш імовірним сценарієм звільнення окупованої росіянами Запорізької АЕС є її оточення українськими військами. Обстрілювати станцію ЗСУ не будуть