Threat to Radiation Safety: Another Blackout Occurs at Russian-Occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP

In Ukraine, on the night of 1 to 2 December, a complete blackout occurred at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe still occupied by the Russian army, which has led to a threat of a nuclear disaster. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine.

On the evening of 1 December, the Zaporizhzhia TPP-Ferrosplavna power line, through which the plant was powered by the Ukrainian grid, was cut. At 2:30 am, the last line Zaporizhzhia NPP-Dniprovska was cut off during an air raid.

Due to the complete blackout, ZNPP switched to powering its own needs from diesel generators. All 20 generators were switched on automatically, 8 of which were later left in operation.

The biggest safety threat in this state is at Unit 4. It is caused by the fact that the Russian occupiers used it in violation of the operating conditions of the NPP reactor units and kept it hot. The de-energisation of the core cooling pumps leads to the transition of the reactor unit to the natural circulation mode. This mode is difficult for the reactor unit, its duration is limited by the design, and it can lead to the failure of the main equipment of the power unit.

However, thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian specialists, on 2 December at 7 am, the connection with the Ukrainian power grid, namely the operation of the power line, was restored.

The ministry reports that this is the eighth blackout that has occurred at ZNPP and could have led to a nuclear disaster.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi reacted to the situation.

"The latest external power outage is yet another reminder of the precarious nuclear safety and security situation at the plant, which can be affected by events far from the site itself. The IAEA continues to do everything possible to prevent a nuclear accident. I also call on all parties not to take any action that could endanger the plant," he said.

As The Gaze previously reported, on 16 November, an incident occurred at Zaporizhzhia NPP Unit 5 with a leakage of reagents from the first reactor circuit to the second.

Energoatom, the operator of Ukrainian NPPs, noted that the occupiers' actions could have led to a violation of the integrity of the steam generator pipes, which threatens the safety of the power unit.