The IAEA announced the restoration of the third power transmission line to ZNPP

VIENNA, 13 Sep – PRIME. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the restoration of the third standby power transmission line to the Zaporozhye NPP.

“Ukrainian engineers have made further progress in repairing vital energy infrastructure in the area of ​​the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), providing it with new access to a third standby power transmission line,” the agency’s website said in a statement.

The reserve line became available to ZNPP after the repair of the switchgear at the nearby CHPP. A few days ago, as a result of shelling, the thermal power plant was damaged, the city of Energodar lost its electricity supply.

After the repair, electricity has now begun to be supplied to some of the houses. The CHP plant itself is not yet operational, but the switchgear “could be used to access electricity from the Ukrainian grid,” the agency said.

The nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP “remains fragile,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. According to him, shelling continues at a distance from the plant, all four main external power lines of ZNPP are disconnected.

As part of the ongoing IAEA-led support for Ukraine’s nuclear security, a second major consignment of aid has arrived in the country, including radiation monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment provided by Hungary, Romania and Spain, the head of the agency added. Delivery to the Rivne and South Ukrainian NPPs of Ukraine, as well as to the country’s regulatory body and its state emergency service, was organized through the IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET).

ZNPP is located on the left bank of the Dnieper near Energodar. This is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of the number of units and installed capacity. Since March, it has been under the protection of the Russian military. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation emphasized the justification for the Russian military to take under the protection of the power plant in terms of preventing leaks of nuclear and radioactive materials. The Ukrainian military continues to regularly shell Energodar, the surrounding villages and the territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant adjacent to the city.