IAEA: Three Ukrainian Nuclear Plants Largely Restore Power Output After Russian Attacks

Ukraine's three nuclear power plants - Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs - have largely resumed electricity production after a temporary reduction in capacity last week due to Russian shelling. This was stated by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

He noted that the plants are still operating in difficult conditions caused by Russia's constant attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

‘The fragile situation with the power grid remains a source of deep concern, and we will continue to closely monitor relevant developments, including further expert visits to the electrical substations on which the nuclear power plants depend. Once again, I call for maximum restraint so that no actions affecting external power supply and nuclear safety are taken,’ Grossi said.

There are nine reactors at the Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukrainian NPPs, of which eight are currently operating and one is shut down. Over the past week, most of them have gradually increased power again, even though some units did not operate at full capacity for several days after the military strikes on 28 November, which affected electrical infrastructure that is important for nuclear safety. However, some external power lines, which the plants use to both receive and transmit electricity, remain disconnected.

Despite the effects of the military conflict, including frequent reports of air raids, the IAEA teams at Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and Chernobyl NPP reported that nuclear safety and security at these facilities are being maintained.

At Khmelnytsky NPP, on Tuesday, members of the IAEA team had to take shelter on site for a short time, but without any impact on the site itself. At the South Ukraine NPP, the IAEA team was informed that a total of 17 drones were spotted earlier this week about three kilometres from the accident site.

As part of its comprehensive nuclear safety assistance programme, the IAEA has organised new deliveries of equipment to Ukraine, bringing the total to 86. VostGOK, a mining and processing plant in Ukraine, received a dosimeter system to improve its ability to monitor individual doses for its personnel exposed to ionising radiation. The equipment was purchased with funds from Japan. The Danish Hydrometeorological Centre and Hydrometeorological Organisations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received three portable liquid nitrogen generators. In addition, one Cisco integrated services router with 10 switches for connection was delivered to Rivne NPP at the expense of Ireland.

Separately, in partnership with the French and Ukrainian Energoatom, the IAEA assisted in the delivery of spare parts and rubber products necessary for the timely maintenance of emergency diesel generators at the South Ukrainian NPP.

Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhya NPP, has not been generating electricity for more than two years. It has been occupied by the Russian military since 2022. Its six power units are in cold shutdown mode, but still require an external power source to cool the reactor and perform other important nuclear safety functions. However, the situation in this regard remains unstable, as the two remaining power lines are prone to frequent outages.

The Russian occupiers continue to deny the IAEA team access to the external spare parts depot and diesel fuel storage facility. 

The IAEA team at ZNPP continued to hear explosions on most days, mostly at distances away from the site, and no damage to the plant was reported.