The gigantic Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, hostage to the war in Ukraine, gives cold sweats to the international community. The largest power plant in Europe, located at Energodar, in the oblast (region) of Zaporizhia, in southern Ukraine, has been occupied by Russian troops since March. She found herself “totally disconnected” of the Ukrainian electricity network, the Ukrainian public company Energoatom announced Thursday, August 25 on Telegram. However, supplying the plant with electricity is essential for cooling the six reactors.
Energyatom, which operates the Ukrainian power plants, accused “the actions of the invaders” Russians to be responsible for this disconnection. “Russia has put the Ukrainians, like all Europeans, on the brink of a nuclear catastrophe”added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the evening.
The Ukrainian company finally declared, Friday August 26 on Telegram, that it had managed to restore the connection of the site to the national electricity network. Franceinfo returns to this new heat stroke which feeds concerns about the security of the site.
Fires at the origin of the disconnection, according to the operator of the power plant
Normally, four power lines supply the plant. Three of them had been “previously damaged in terrorist attacks” Russians, according to Energoatom. According to theUkrainian operator, the last line was disconnected twice due to fires on the perimeter of the thermal power plant in Zaporizhya, located near the nuclear power plant. According The worldthe main source of the fire is located 1.6 kilometers from reactor number 6.
The Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, of which two of the six reactors are still in operation, has thus been “totally disconnected for the first time in its history” of the Ukrainian electricity network. However, connection to the electricity grid is essential for nuclear safety. “Supplying the plant is necessary to cool the reactors, but also the spent fuel storage pools of each of the six reactors”underlines for franceinfo Bruno Chareyron, engineer in nuclear physics and director of the Criirad laboratory, an association which warns of the dangers of nuclear energy.
A backup power supply activated in an emergency
On Thursday evening, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been “informed by Ukraine” of this disconnection. However, the plant remained “working”underlined theIAEA. Zaporijjia has in fact remained supplied with electricity from “the neighboring thermal power station which can provide emergency electricity”according to the agency.
The reactors’ emergency protection systems were triggered and all safety systems remained operational, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. “The units remained disconnected from the grid also after the restoration of the power line”he announced, without advancing on the causes of the power cuts.
However, the situation worries the director of the IAEA. “Certainly, emergency systems exist to make it work. But cooling such a large installation with diesel generators, wondering how many jerrycans of oil we have to make them work… It’s completely unthinkable”warns Rafael Grossi in an interview with World. “By dint of nibbling safety and security margins, the risk of a serious accident increases”abounds Bruno Chareyron.
The power plant reconnected after repair work, according to Energoatom
Energoatom launched repair work on Friday morning to restore the connection to the electricity grid. Early in the afternoon, the operator announced that“one of the reactors (…) has been reconnected to the electricity grid”. This reactor “produces electricity for the needs of Ukraine” and “the raise of [sa] power is in progress”. The second reactor in operation for the past few days had yet to be connected. The group also clarified that the equipment and security systems of this installation were operating normally.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of endangering the plant
The security of the plant, located near the front line, and the risk of a nuclear accident in the event of a bombardment have worried international leaders since it passed into the hands of Russian forces in early March. Even more in recent weeks. Moscow and kyiv accuse each other of several bombardments having targeted the site.
Ukraine also accuses Russia of storing heavy weapons at this site and using it as a base for strikes on Ukrainian military positions. The Russians deny for their part having deployed such weapons there, claiming to have only units there to ensure its security. Russia in turn accuses Ukrainian forces of having carried out drone strikes there.
IAEA inspection mission expected “next week”
After this new incident in the plant, the international community again raised its voice. American diplomacy has warned that any Russian attempt to hijack Ukrainian nuclear energy would be “unacceptable”. “Civil nuclear power should not be an instrument of war”, for his part pleaded, Friday, Emmanuel Macron. The UN has called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone around the plant to secure it and allow the dispatch of an international inspection mission.
An IAEA inspection mission is expected on site “next week”said Thursday evening the adviser to the Ukrainian Minister of Energy, Lana Zerkal. “Even though the Russians have agreed to the mission traveling through Ukrainian territory, they are artificially creating obstacles to prevent the mission from reaching this facility.”she however accused.
“The question is whether the IAEA will really have the means to work effectively and in a thorough and transparent manner”asks Bruno Chareyron about BFM TV.