The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced the achievement of a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing for repair work on the power line to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
This is reported by Finway
Restoration of Power Supply to Zaporizhzhia NPP
According to the IAEA, the local ceasefire, brokered by them, has come into effect along the front line near the ZNPP. This enables the start of critically important repairs on the power line, which are necessary to prevent a potential nuclear accident.
“The local ceasefire, achieved through the mediation of the IAEA, came into effect today along the front line near the ZNPP, allowing for the necessary repairs to the power line to prevent the threat of a nuclear accident”
According to the agency, under the guidance of IAEA experts, technical specialists from both sides will begin restoring the damaged “Dnipro” power line with a voltage of 750 kV in the coming days. Prior to this, extensive demining of the area must be conducted, as the site has been damaged due to hostilities.
Critical Situation at ZNPP
The damaged power line was disconnected more than two months ago, leaving the largest nuclear power plant in Europe dependent on a single 330 kV line. This line provides electricity to the cooling systems of six shut-down reactors. In recent weeks, the ZNPP has repeatedly lost access even to this backup line, forcing the plant to switch to emergency power from diesel generators.
The preparation for repairs is complicated by the fact that the damage site is located at the top of high towers near the control line on the Dnipro River. This is already the sixth announcement of a ceasefire in the ZNPP area since the end of last year.
The IAEA has also expressed serious concern over a recent attack near the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, which could threaten the only power line currently supplying electricity to the temporarily occupied plant.