IAEA says Zaporizhzhya plant reconnects to grid after line repair

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced Saturday that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant has resumed grid connection following repairs to its backup power line, ending an outage that forced operators to rely on emergency diesel generators for nearly three days.

The Vienna-based agency stated that the facility regained connection to the 330-kilovolt Ferosplavna line after "successful" repairs, though the disruption marked the nineteenth time off-site power was severed since the conflict began. The plant had lost its connection Wednesday night following an attack on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River, compelling staff to use diesel generators to supply electricity needed to cool its six shutdown reactors.

Safety concerns persist amid military activity

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that repairs to both the backup and main power lines remain essential to secure off-site electricity and prevent a nuclear accident. He also expressed concern about increased military activity in recent days and weeks, "that is further jeopardizing key nuclear safety principles, and he reiterates the necessity of maximum military restraint near all nuclear facilities."

The agency noted it is continuing to observe repair activities at the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant switchyard as well as de-mining work in another frontline area close to the nuclear facility. "In other efforts crucial for nuclear safety, the IAEA is continuing to observe repair activities at the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) switchyard as well as de-mining work in another frontline area close to the ZNPP to also enable repairs of the site’s main power line, the 750 kV Dniprovska, that has been disconnected since March," the agency said in its statement.

IAEA monitoring and frontline tensions

Earlier, the Russia-installed management at the plant claimed Ukrainian forces attacked a transport workshop at the facility. Kyiv has yet to comment on the Russian allegations.

IAEA personnel have maintained a continuous presence at the plant since September 1, 2022, when the UN nuclear watchdog established its monitoring mission. The facility has remained under Russian control since March 2022.