Zaporizhzhia NPP suffers 19th blackout
Kyiv • UNN
Due to an attack on a substation, the ZNPP has lost external power for the 19th time. The plant is operating on diesel generators to provide cooling for its six reactors.
The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP suffered a blackout for the 19th time and switched to diesel generator power, the Ministry of Energy and the IAEA reported on Thursday, UNN writes.
ZNPP
"During an air raid alert, the Russian-temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP lost external power supply and switched to diesel generator power. Currently, the station remains de-energized. Another loss of external power at the occupied ZNPP poses a threat to nuclear and radiation safety," the Ministry of Energy stated.
The IAEA noted that "the IAEA was informed that last night around 21:00 local time, for the 19th time since the start of the military conflict, the Zaporizhzhia NPP lost all external power supply following an attack on an electrical substation on the other side of the Dnipro River."
"This latest loss of the 330 kV 'Ferrosplavna-1' backup power line occurred amid the plant's preparations for repairs to the main 750 kV 'Dniprovska' power line, which has been disconnected since March 24, as part of a sixth local ceasefire agreed with both sides to help restore a second external power source," the message on X said.
The IAEA noted that "operating with only one power line makes the plant extremely vulnerable to conflict-related grid disruptions, which we are experiencing again today. ZNPP currently relies on emergency diesel generators to power the cooling of the six shut-down reactors and maintain other essential nuclear safety functions."
"The latest loss of off-site power once again underscores the extreme fragility of the power grid and the constant threats to nuclear safety during the war," stated IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, reiterating the urgent need for military restraint to prevent a nuclear accident.
Enemy attacks
"As a result of hostilities and shelling of energy facilities, some consumers in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions temporarily remain without electricity supply," the report says.
Energy workers, as indicated, are doing everything possible to restore power supply to all subscribers as quickly as possible. Restoration work continues around the clock.
Will there be schedules
"The application of restrictions is not forecasted for today," the Ministry of Energy stated.
Active energy consumption today, as noted, should be shifted to daytime hours — from 10:00 to 15:00. During evening hours, consumers are asked, if possible, to use electricity sparingly — from 18:00 to 22:00. This helps reduce the load on the system.