One of the power lines to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is out of service again

One of the two high-voltage power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with electricity is out of service, the Russian-installed management of the facility said today, adding that radiation levels at the site and in the surrounding area are normal. The outage was later confirmed by Ukrainian company Energoatom. The cause of the outage is under investigation, according to the Russian administration of the plant. Russian forces have occupied the Ukrainian power plant since March 2022, and its reactor units are shut down.

„At 10:06 Moscow time (9:06 CEST) today, the 330kV backup high-voltage power line went out of service,“ the Russian administration of the plant said, according to the TASS news agency.

It added that radiation levels at the facility and in the surrounding area remain unchanged and within normal limits. However, according to Ukrainian company Energoatom, the outage poses a risk of an emergency at the site.

The outage was reported after Russia carried out further air attacks on Ukraine overnight. According to Ukrainian authorities, the attacks killed at least four people in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. Explosions were also reported today in Zaporizhzhia, about 50 kilometres from the power plant as the crow flies.

In addition to the backup line, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant also has a main 750kV line. Although the plant is shut down, nuclear fuel remains in its six reactors and needs to be cooled. The facility therefore requires external electricity supplies.

Concerns about safety at the site have persisted since Russian forces occupied the plant shortly after invading Ukraine in 2022. The plant is located near the front line, and Russia and Ukraine have previously accused each other of shelling it.