Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in ‘full blackout mode’ after shelling
Lviv, Ukraine, Nov 3 (EFE).- Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) was in “full blackout mode” and disconnected from the country’s electricity grid due to Russian shelling, the state nuclear operator said on Thursday, warning there is 15 days worth of fuel to run generators.
Energoatom reported the disconnection of the plant, which is currently under Russian control, on its Telegram account.
“Yesterday, November 2, 2022, as a result of Russian shelling, the last two high-voltage transmission lines connecting the Zaporizhzhia NPP to the Ukrainian power system were damaged,” the company said. “At 11:04 pm, the plant went to full blackout mode.”
While 20 backup diesel generators started up, nine diesel generators are still in operation, Energoatom said.
Two power units were being “transferred to a cold shutdown mode.”
“Fuel for the operation of diesel generators in the mode of full blackout of the ZNPP is enough for 15 days. The countdown has begun,” the message said.
“Due to the occupation of the plant and the interference of Rosatom (Russia’s atomic energy agency) representatives in its operation, the opportunities of the Ukrainian side to maintain the ZNPP in a safe mode are significantly limited,” Energoatom warned.
It urged the international community to take measures for the demilitarization of the plant and the return of its control to Ukraine.
The situation at the plant, considered the largest in Europe and third largest in the world, worries Ukraine and its allies, since it is located in a region where heavy fighting is taking place.
The plant’s facilities have suffered attacks since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, with Kyiv and Moscow pointing fingers at each other. EFE
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