Germany to provide an additional 1 million euros to help address nuclear safety issues at the Zaporizhzhia NPP

Germany will provide an additional 1 million euros to help address nuclear safety issues at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Recently, according to the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German government will provide an additional 1 million euros in aid to improve the safety level of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, is expected to formally announce this additional 1 million euros in funding on Tuesday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. Previously, Germany had cumulatively provided 7.3 million euros in financial support to the IAEA's nuclear safety and security work in Ukraine. Since...

2026-09-16

Alexey Likhachev: The situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is severe; the IAEA should not merely stop at recording attacks and issuing danger warnings

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, told the media during the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna, Austria, that if a disaster occurs at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which is under continuous shelling by the Ukrainian military, a radioactive cloud could spread to Vienna within tens of hours. Likhachev pointed out that the Ukrainian attacks have created unbearable living conditions for the residents of Enerhodar, the city where the nuclear power plant is located, and that other Russian nuclear power plants are also currently frequently attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Likhachev emphasized that the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, located within the territory of the Russian Federation and operated and maintained by Russian citizens, ...

2026-09-15

Rosatom Director General to hold talks with Grossi during IAEA General Conference

On September 11, Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom), said that he plans to hold talks with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, during the IAEA General Conference. Likhachev said that the 70th IAEA General Conference will open in Vienna on Monday, and it is one of the important annual events in the international nuclear field. During the meeting, the Russian side plans to meet with Grossi and hopes to reach agreement on Grossi's visit to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Likhachev also said that the next rotation of IAEA experts stationed at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is expected to take place...

2026-09-13

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Reportedly Lost Power 10 Times in Three Months

On September 10, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, said that Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has experienced 10 power outages over the past three months, and the power supply situation remains tense. Ulyanov stated at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting that over the past three months, multiple facilities at the nuclear power plant have been attacked, including diesel fuel storage facilities, power grid maintenance workshops, and pumping stations. He also said that relevant parties face obstacles in repairing the plant's transmission lines. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently in a cold shutdown state,...

2026-09-11

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant says restoring second external power line is critical to nuclear safety

On September 7, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant stated that restoring and commissioning the second external power transmission line—the 750 kV Dniprovska line—is critical to improving the reliability of the plant's power supply and enhancing nuclear and radiation safety levels. The plant also proposed that a systematic supply of fuel for backup diesel generators needs to be ensured. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant stated that after the 330 kV Ferrospravnaya-1 transmission line restored external power supply, the radiation conditions at the plant and surrounding areas remained stable, within the range of natural background levels. The plant also stated that following the restoration of external power supply, the backup diesel generators have been switched to standby mode. In its statement, the plant said that the Ferrospravnaya-1...

2026-09-09

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Restores External Power Supply

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has resumed receiving external electricity via the 330 kV Ferrospravnaya-1 transmission line. Previously, since August 20, the plant had relied on backup diesel generators to maintain essential on-site power for a duration of 19 days. Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, stated that the plant has switched from diesel generator power to external power supply and is currently operating normally. The Zaporizhzhia NPP reported that following the restoration of the Ferrospravnaya-1 line, the backup diesel generators have been placed on standby. Rafael...

2026-09-08

Russia Says IAEA to Rotate Inspectors at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in About a Week

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, said on September 7 that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is about to undergo a new round of personnel rotation. Likhachev stated that the 35th group of IAEA inspectors is expected to arrive at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in about a week. He noted that, as with previous rotation arrangements, the operation will be conducted within the territory of the Russian Federation to ensure safety. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities by installed capacity. The IAEA maintains a continuous on-site presence at the plant and conducts relevant nuclear safety and security observation activities through regular rotation of inspectors.

2026-09-08

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Initiates Repair of External Power Transmission Lines

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant announced on September 5 that it has initiated repair and restoration work on its external power supply lines to ensure their normal operation. The plant stated that the repair and restoration efforts have commenced and are expected to be completed smoothly, with the Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission line anticipated to resume operation as soon as possible. Currently, plant staff are monitoring all safety parameters around the clock. The plant stated that the situation on site is under control. ...

2026-09-07

External power supply interruption at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has lasted for 14 days

Yashina, head of communications at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the external power supply interruption at the plant has lasted for 14 days, with power currently provided by diesel generators, and that on-site personnel are still able to ensure the safe condition of the plant. According to an earlier statement from the plant, on August 20, the "Ferroalloy-1" power line was damaged, causing the external power supply interruption at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The damage site is located in an area where repair work cannot currently be carried out. After the loss of external power, the plant activated its backup power system. Fuel reserves remain available on site, but to conserve these reserves and maintain stable equipment operation, the operating mode of the diesel generators needs to be optimized. Yashina stated that the plant has been powered by diesel generators for 14 consecutive days...

2026-09-03

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Relies on Emergency Diesel Generators to Maintain Operations

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently stated that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been relying on emergency diesel generators to maintain critical safety systems for over a week following the interruption of its external power supply. After inspections by the agency's on-site expert team, it was confirmed that as of the 23rd local time, the plant's diesel reserves could support approximately 10 days of operation, approaching the minimum regulatory requirement. According to the IAEA, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its connection to the only remaining 330 kV Peresopravna-1 external transmission line starting on the 20th. Subsequently, the plant activated multiple emergency diesel generators to power critical equipment, including the six reactors and pumps related to spent fuel cooling and storage. The IAEA...

2026-08-31

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Loses External Power for Six Days

On August 25 local time, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) stated that it had lost external power since August 20 and had been relying on backup diesel generators to meet on-site electricity demand for six consecutive days. The plant's existing fuel reserves can still ensure operation, but difficulties in fuel resupply have not yet significantly eased. Yevgeniya Yashina, head of communications at ZNPP, stated that plant staff are monitoring nuclear safety parameters and the operation of backup diesel generator units around the clock. She noted that fuel transportation still faces difficulties due to shelling on roads leading to the plant; to improve the efficiency of existing reserve utilization, the plant has optimized the operation of diesel generators...

2026-08-26

Ukrainian Foreign Minister and IAEA Director General Discuss Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Safety in Phone Call

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on August 22 that he had a phone call with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, during which the two sides focused on the current nuclear safety situation in Ukraine, particularly the safety status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Sybiha stated that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently under Russian control, and the related military presence remains a major source of nuclear safety risk. The two sides exchanged views on issues related to the plant and emphasized the need for close coordination based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and international law. Sybiha also noted that he values Grossi's personal engagement in relevant matters, as well as...

2026-08-24

Investigation Underway into Cause of External Power Supply Interruption at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

On August 20, Chernichuk, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the cause of the external power supply interruption at the plant is still under investigation, with relevant experts inspecting transmission lines to identify possible fault points. Chernichuk noted that the specific cause and location of the line damage remain unclear. Experts from the plant are conducting inspections along the lines to locate the fault; according to Ukrainian sources, their experts are also carrying out related inspection work. Earlier, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported that due to the interruption of the external power supply line, the plant switched to the backup power supply system on the morning of the 20th and activated diesel generators. The report also stated that the 330 kV high-voltage transmission line "Ferroalloy-1" was disconnected from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant due to damage...

2026-08-21

Grossi's Visit to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Postponed

Chernichuk, the head of Russia's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the visit by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Grossi to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been postponed, with a new date yet to be determined. Chernichuk noted that, to his understanding, the visit will be rescheduled for a later time, but the specific timing remains unclear. On August 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that the Ukrainian side had affected Grossi's planned visit to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the city of Energodar, originally scheduled for August 20-21. The trip was originally planned to coincide with the routine rotation of the IAEA expert team stationed at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-21

Repeated Power Outages at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Raise Concerns over Equipment Aging and Safety Risks

August 13 news, the issue of repeated interruptions to the external power supply at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continues to draw attention. Relevant data shows that since February 2022, the plant has experienced 26 power outages, 14 of which occurred in the first 8 months of 2026. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Once the external power supply is interrupted, the plant must switch to backup power to maintain the operation of essential safety systems. Frequent switching of power supply modes not only increases operational pressure but also poses additional risks to nuclear safety and radiation safety. Relevant parties have stated that signs of equipment aging at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are intensifying, with the condition of diesel generator sets being particularly concerning. The backup diesel generator sets are generally...

2026-08-15

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Launches Major Overhaul of Damaged Diesel Generator

On August 14 local time, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) stated that it has launched a major overhaul of a damaged diesel generator unit to ensure the plant's independent power supply capability in the event of an external power outage. The plant stated that maintenance work is currently progressing as planned, with a focus on the upkeep and repair of equipment related to safety systems. The diesel generator unit under repair is one of the independent power sources for the safety systems. Previously, during a complete interruption of external power supply, the backup diesel generator units provided power support for the plant to maintain essential safety functions. According to reports, experts on site have begun disassembling and inspecting the main components of the diesel generator unit to determine which parts need replacement or repair...

2026-08-15

Ukraine and IAEA to Strengthen Nuclear Safety Coordination

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi held an online meeting, focusing on further strengthening nuclear and radiation safety cooperation amid the war. Ukraine hopes to achieve independent assessments of risks and operational status of critical energy infrastructure and develop more protective measures through closer international coordination. The talks come against the backdrop of sustained security pressures on Ukraine's energy facilities. The Ukrainian side emphasized that a stably operating power system is not only vital to public electricity supply but also directly affects the safety assurance of nuclear power plants and related facilities. The IAEA has previously conducted expert work at multiple energy facilities in Ukraine...

2026-08-12

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Raise Spent Fuel Pool Water Levels to Mitigate Power Outage Risks

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the operator of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has decided to raise the water levels in the spent fuel pools on site to enhance safety buffer capacity in the event of a prolonged loss of external power. The primary purpose of raising the water levels is to extend the time before water in the spent fuel pools begins to boil and evaporate under extreme conditions where external power to the plant is interrupted for an extended period, diesel reserves are depleted, and emergency diesel generators can no longer supply power to the cooling systems. Spent fuel pools are used to store used nuclear fuel underwater, typically for at least five years, allowing its radioactivity and residual heat to gradually decay, making continuous cooling a critical element of nuclear safety. All six units at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-08

Putin Signs Decree Posthumously Awarding "Order of Courage" to Chief Engineer of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a decree posthumously awarding the Order of Courage to Alexander Yakovlev, chief engineer of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, who was killed in an attack, in recognition of his bravery demonstrated in the line of duty. According to previously released information, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on July 15 stating that a service vehicle of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was attacked by a drone that day, and Yakovlev was killed in the attack. The statement said the attack posed a threat to the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of the larger nuclear power facilities in Europe, and its operational safety has long drawn external attention...

2026-08-05

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Briefly Loses External Power, Restored via 330 kV Line

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on August 4 that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant briefly lost external power supply that day. This marked the 24th occurrence of external power interruption at the plant since the outbreak of the related conflict. According to the report, the plant lost connection with the Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission line, currently the only one still in service, in the afternoon, and emergency diesel generators provided backup power thereafter. The IAEA stated that the cause of the incident remains unclear. The plant management said the brief external power interruption was related to a technical fault in the automatic control system, and power supply was restored in less than an hour. Currently, the plant's auxiliary power is supplied by the 330 kV Fer...

2026-08-05

IAEA Inspects Ukrainian Energy Company Substations

On August 3, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its latest inspection of key substations belonging to a Ukrainian energy company. The inspection aimed to assess energy infrastructure, particularly critical facilities affecting the safe operation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. The Ukrainian side granted the IAEA delegation access to critical high-voltage substation systems for comprehensive monitoring. This comprehensive monitoring of substations was made possible by the expansion of the IAEA's mandate in September 2024. Under the new mandate, international inspectors can monitor not only the safety status of nuclear power plants but also the critical transmission system facilities that ensure their stable operation. Notably...

2026-08-04