Zaporizhzhia NPP reconnected to Ukraine’s power grid – IAEA

External power has been restored to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) two days after it lost all access to off-site electricity due to Russia's shelling.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said this in a statement.

It is noted that on Friday, at around 22:00, the 750 kV power supply to all six units of the ZNPP had been re-established, and the eight operating emergency diesel generators turned off and put into standby mode.

The 750 kV line is therefore now once again providing the electricity the ZNPP's six reactors need for cooling and other essential nuclear safety and security functions.

According to the IAEA, there is no change in the operational status of all units. Units 5 and 6 are in semi-hot shutdown providing steam to the site and arrangements are being made to further heat-up both units to a hot shutdown state. The other four units remain in cold shutdown.

"The repeated power outages all too clearly demonstrate the extremely serious nuclear safety and security situation this major nuclear power plant is facing. So far, the brave staff of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have always managed to maintain the safe operation of the six units. But it can't go on like this. I have repeatedly called for the urgent establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to prevent a nuclear accident. We can't afford to lose any more time. We must act before it is too late," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.