Risk of Blackout at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Due to Damaged Power Line

Russians have damaged one of the two power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), increasing the risk of a blackout, according to Energoatom. The plant, which has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022, relies on these power lines to receive electricity from the Ukrainian energy system.

On August 22, 2024, Russian shelling damaged the external overhead line 330kV "Zaporizhzhya TPP - Ferosplavna," which was critical for powering the plant. Currently, ZNPP is connected to the Ukrainian grid through only one power line, the VL-750kV "Dniprovska." If this remaining line is damaged, the plant could face an emergency situation due to the loss of external power needed to operate pumps that cool the reactor cores and fuel storage pools.

Since the onset of the occupation, ZNPP has experienced eight full blackouts and one partial blackout, necessitating the use of emergency diesel generators and safety systems. A failure of these systems could result in a severe emergency, underlining the critical need for stable power supply and effective safety measures.