Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses external power, switches to diesel generators

Investing.com -- Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost its external electricity supply on Sunday after damage triggered the automatic disconnection of a power line, forcing the facility to rely on backup diesel generators for safety-critical equipment.

The plant’s Russian-installed management said the Ferosplavna power line was disconnected by protective systems following damage, interrupting the station’s external electricity supply.

Backup diesel generators were subsequently activated to power equipment required to maintain the facility in a safe condition, according to a statement published on the Russian state-backed MAX messaging platform.

Plant officials said personnel were monitoring operating parameters and taking the necessary measures to maintain the safety of the nuclear units.

Radiation levels at the facility and within its surrounding monitoring zone remained normal, the statement added.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of nuclear facilities to electricity supply disruptions during the continuing conflict in Ukraine, particularly when external connections are damaged.

Nuclear power plants require electricity to operate monitoring systems and other safety-related equipment, including when their reactors are not generating power.

Backup generators provide an alternative electricity source when connections to the external grid are interrupted, making their availability important to maintaining safe operating conditions.

The Zaporizhzhia facility, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains under Russian control, with its operational status closely watched amid concerns about the security of nuclear infrastructure in the conflict zone.

The management statement did not identify the cause of the damage to the Ferosplavna line or indicate when external electricity supplies might be restored.

It also provided no information about how long the plant could continue operating on its backup generators or whether additional power connections were available.

The immediate safety assessment from Russian-installed officials indicated no abnormal radiation readings following the disconnection.

Attention now turns to the restoration of external electricity supplies and the continued operation of backup systems needed to maintain the plant’s safety.