The ZNPP underwent a complete loss of out -of -site power on September 23 after military activity in the surroundings, marking the 10th time that has happened since Russia launched its large -scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“The largest nuclear power plant in Europe has been without external power for more than a week now, which is By far the most during such an event in more than three and a half years of war »» said Aiea Managing Director Rafael Mariano Grossi.
He currently operates on an emergency power which “is clearly not a lasting situation in terms of nuclear security,” he said, adding that “none of the parties would benefit from a nuclear accident”.
Damaged last power line
The ZNPP has been under Russian control since the first weeks of the conflict and the two parties accused the other of attacks which endanger the plant.
The last out-of-site electricity cut occurred last Tuesday afternoon when the remaining electricity line was damaged by military activity at around 1.5 km.
Emergency diesel generators (EDG) have automatically started to provide the power necessary for safety systems and to cool the six reactors as well as worn fuel.
The ZNPP is currently operating eight EDG. Nine additional units are in standby mode and three are in maintenance. Operating EDGs are alternated to serve some of the inactive and ensure continuous availability.
Repair efforts have embarrassed
The factory would have the staff and the spare parts necessary to repair the electric line, but this has not yet happened due to the nearby military activity.
Ukraine has expressed its preparation to repair a rescue electric line which has been disconnected since the beginning of May, but the military situation also prevented that this does not happen.
ZNPP reactors have been closed for more than three years now, resulting in cooling the nuclear fuel and reducing the amount of radioactive materials in the fuel.
Consequently, the nuclear security situation is not as dangerous as it would have been if the factory had still generated electricity, noted the IAEA.
However, in the case of a complete failure failure without out -of -site or emergency power, the nuclear fuel could melt if electricity could not be restored over time, which is why mobile diesel generators are also available.
Prevent a nuclear accident
“The current state of reactor and fuel units spent is stable as long as emergency diesel generators are able to provide enough power to maintain the functions and cooling linked to essential security,” said Grosi.
“Nevertheless, it is extremely important that the out-of-site power is restored,” he added.
“As I have said on several occasions, a nuclear accident is not interested in anyone and all efforts must be made to prevent this from happening.”
The director general of IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi (center), visited the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine in September 2022.
Development monitoring
The IAEA has maintained a presence at the ZNNP since September 2022.
His team continues to closely monitor the situation, receiving more frequent factory’s nuclear safety updates, including water cooling temperatures.
“Based on the factory information, we may conclude that emergency diesel generators have been able to reliably provide the power necessary to cool the nuclear fuel in the reactor nuclei and the fuel pools spent,” said Gnati.
The IAEA team has also been informed that the factory has fuel reserves for more than 10 days of operation.
Monitoring of radiation continues to show that there was no increase above normal levels, inside and outside the site.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
