Zaporizhzhya NPP de-energized, only 10 days to restore power to safety systems
ZNPP is completely de-energized (Photo:Alexander Ermochenko/File Photo/Reuters)
Zaporizhzhya NPP was completely de-energized due to attacks by Russian troops in the early hours of March 9, the press service of the state nuclear energy operator Energoatom reported, warning fuel for backup safety systems will last only for 10 days.
“The countdown has begun,” Energoatom said.
“If it is impossible to restore external power to the plant during this time, an accident with radiation consequences for the whole world may occur.”
The plant was detached from a power supply and went into blackout mode for the sixth time during the occupation.
"Reactors 5 and 6 are being transferred to a cold state, 18 diesel generators have been switched on to supply ZNPP's own needs," Energoatom said.
“The fuel for their operation will last for 10 days.
Due to the occupation of the plant and interference of Rosatom representatives in its work, the Ukrainian side's ability to support ZNPP in a safe mode is significantly limited, Energoatom said.
Russian troops seized the ZNPP, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, near the beginning of the full-scale war, on March 4. Employees of the plant are being held hostage and forced to work under incredibly high-pressure conditions. There are Russian military and Rosatom, the Russian nuclear operator, employees at the plant.
On top of that, all nuclear power plants located on the government-controlled territory have powered down by almost half due to the threat of missile attacks, according to Energoatom.
Currently, the country’s reactors are suppling 4,700 MW to the grid in total, although the aggregate capacity of Pivdennoukrayinsk, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne NPPs stands at 9,000 MW.
Russia launched another massive missile attack on Ukraine in the early hours of March 9, Explosions were heard in a number of cities and regions, including Kyiv.
A critical infrastructure facility was hit in the capital.
In Odesa, Russia struck an energy infrastructure facility, damaging residential buildings.
Zhytomyr was attacked by Shahed drones. Most buildings in the city have no electricity or water. Zhytomyr Mayor Serhiy Sukhomlyn said the situation in the city “is difficult.”
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