Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant completely disconnected from power grid - Energoatom

Nuclear energy expert Olha Kosharna commented on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Espreso TV. 

"A 750-kilovolt power transmission line was destroyed, the last of the four, to which the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant supplied energy that went into the general energy system of Ukraine.

As a result, the 5th power unit made an emergency stop and the backup diesel generators were switched on due to the loss of power supply. At the 6th block, the power went down and it was working for its needs", Kosharna said.

However, the Russian invaders later restored this power line and the 6th power unit began to gain power.

"I think it should be stopped, because there is a difference when the unit is stopped in an emergency. In case of loss of external power supply and generators are not connected, the core melts. A severe accident occurs in 3-6 hours. If the unit is in a cold stop, it takes several days. Then if the power supply is lost - melting takes place for 27 hours. During this time, the accident can be controlled. The situation is difficult", the nuclear energy expert noted. 

Ukraine's State Inspection of Nuclear Regulation wrote on Telegram that as a result of this event, the 6th power unit was disconnected from the network with the subsequent activation of emergency protection.

Energoatom emphasized that the complete disconnection of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from the power grid occurred for the first time in the history of the plant.

"The NPP's own power needs are currently provided from the energy system of Ukraine through the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant communication line from the Zaporizhzhia thermal power plant", the press service added.

The mayor of Energodar, Dmytro Orlov, reassured the citizens: "As of 2:30 p.m., the radiation background in the city is 10.4 microroentgens per hour, which corresponds to the natural level".

The mayor emphasized that there is no need to take medicine containing potassium iodide.