Enerhodar Faces Power Cuts and Water Shortages Amid Military Activities Near Zaporizhzhya NPP

IAEA experts stationed at the site recently observed smoke from nearby locations following strikes and reported fires near Enerhodar, though the cause was unclear.

Enerhodar, the city housing most staff of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), continues to suffer from temporary power cuts, water shortages, and nearby forest fires due to ongoing military activities in the area, reported Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today.

In recent months, drone attacks have heightened concerns about the dangers facing the ZNPP, located on the frontline. IAEA experts stationed at the site recently observed smoke from nearby locations following strikes and reported fires near Enerhodar, though the cause was unclear.

Last Friday, an attack damaged an electrical transformer in an Enerhodar sub-station, causing a prolonged power outage. Subsequent shelling impacted a water pumping station and another electrical sub-station, leaving residents without water and electricity. Fortunately, the ZNPP remained connected to its two off-site power lines and was unaffected by the attack.

“These latest attacks have not directly targeted the nuclear power plant, unlike in April. However, continued military activity in the region remains a serious concern, and it is essential that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is protected to ensure nuclear safety and security,” Director General Grossi emphasized.

He reiterated that last week’s attack, which reportedly injured eight ZNPP workers at an electrical sub-station in Enerhodar, violated several key pillars of nuclear safety, particularly regarding the protection of plant staff.

“The sporadic loss of basic living essentials such as electricity and drinking water is affecting the staff and families at all nuclear power plants and facilities throughout Ukraine, potentially impacting their ability to perform critical nuclear safety and security work,” Grossi added.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP continues to hear explosions and gunfire at varying distances from the plant almost daily. Despite this, they are conducting regular walkdowns to monitor nuclear safety and security. This week, another rotation of experts crossed the frontline to replace colleagues, marking the 21st IAEA team at the site since the mission's establishment on September 1, 2022.

The experts are closely following maintenance activities crucial for nuclear safety and security, which have been challenging during the conflict. Safety system maintenance is progressing in reactor units 1 and 6, and similar work has begun on the main transformer of unit 3.

Last week, the IAEA experts checked the status of the site’s 20 emergency diesel generators (EDGs), essential if the ZNPP were to lose off-site power. They observed that the tested generator started within safety criteria. The team also assessed diesel fuel availability, noting 1300m³ of diesel fuel on-site, sufficient for at least 10 days of EDG operation. Additional fuel can be delivered within 24-48 hours.

Last Friday, the IAEA experts inspected the ZNPP cooling pond and related facilities. Due to hot weather, the cooling pond's water level has been dropping by around 1 cm daily, recently falling below 15 meters for the first time since the Kakhovka dam's destruction last year. Groundwater wells continue to supply the necessary water for cooling the reactor units and safety systems.

Experts at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne, and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security are being maintained despite the ongoing conflict, including frequent air raid alarms.

The IAEA team at Khmelnytskyy NPP rotated last week, and planned maintenance and refueling activities are ongoing at South Ukraine NPP (units 1 and 3) and Rivne NPP (unit 4).

To support Ukraine in maintaining nuclear safety and security, the IAEA arranged four additional equipment deliveries last week, bringing the total to 55 since the conflict began. The deliveries, funded by Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, included equipment for the State Enterprise USIE Izotop, measurement instruments for Rivne NPP, filter absorbers for Khmelnytskyy NPP, and power supply units for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).