Efforts to Restore Power at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Advance

Work is actively progressing to restore power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) after a significant four-week blackout, the longest since the onset of the ongoing conflict. The restoration efforts follow the establishment of rare local “ceasefire zones,” as announced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Restoration Efforts Underway

On March 2, 2024, Rafael Grossi, Director of the IAEA, confirmed via social media that repair work has commenced on damaged off-site power lines leading to the ZNPP. He emphasized, “Restoration of off-site power is crucial for nuclear safety and security. Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable complex repair plans to proceed.”

The ZNPP has been disconnected from the electricity grid, relying on emergency diesel generators for over 20 days. This blackout marks the tenth occasion since the beginning of the conflict that the plant has lost connection to the grid, according to the IAEA.

While both parties have refrained from officially confirming the local ceasefire, the Ukrainian energy ministry reported that teams were working to restore the power lines. This effort represents the 42nd round of repair operations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

Accusations and Military Context

The Ukrainian energy ministry has attributed the ongoing risks of a radiation incident in Europe to what they describe as Russian military aggression, including the occupation of the ZNPP and systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In a statement on Telegram, they asserted that “the only reason for the unprecedented risks and threat of a radiation incident in Europe is Russian military aggression.”

Conversely, the Russian-controlled ZNPP claimed in a Telegram post that restoration efforts were being conducted by their staff, highlighting the role of the Russian defense ministry in ensuring the safety of operations in an area reportedly under active shelling by Ukrainian forces. They stated, “Without the security guarantees provided by the military, the work of the power engineers would be impossible.”

Both sides have exchanged accusations regarding the cause of the blackout. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, alleged that Russia intentionally cut off power to the plant to test its reconnection with the Russian grid. In contrast, Russia attributed the blackout to Ukrainian shelling.

In a related incident, a recent Russian strike on a Ukrainian energy substation in the city of Slavutych resulted in a blackout lasting more than three hours at the former Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, suggesting it was a deliberate act involving “more than 20 drones,” asserting that “the Russians could not have been unaware that striking facilities in Slavutych would have such consequences for Chernobyl.”

The situation surrounding the ZNPP remains precarious, with restoration efforts continuing amid ongoing hostilities. The international community watches closely as the implications of these developments could have far-reaching consequences for nuclear safety in the region.