The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is once again in the spotlight amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The plant has been without external power for three days, marking the longest outage to date and sparking serious concerns about safety.
The nuclear plant requires a constant supply of power for cooling, preventing the nuclear fuel from overheating and melting. This relies on external electricity sources. When external power fails, backup diesel generators are activated. Currently, the plant is relying solely on generators for cooling. If the diesel supply runs out without replenishment, the reactors could reach a dangerous state within weeks.
Why the Power Outage?
The last high-voltage line supplying the plant was damaged on Tuesday, reportedly by Russia. Russia claims repairs are difficult due to Ukrainian military shelling. However, Ukraine denies attacking the plant, citing the extreme risks involved.
IAEA Chief Issues Warning
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has expressed grave concern about the situation. He met with Russian President Putin, but no concrete solution has yet been reached. Greenpeace and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that this situation jeopardizes nuclear safety.
What are Russia’s Intentions?
Ukraine and international experts believe Russia is intentionally creating this crisis. Their aim is to demonstrate to the world, and particularly to Ukraine, that the security and operation of the plant are solely under Russian control.
* Russia is preparing to connect the plant to its own power grid.
* It’s believed that Russia will soon attempt to restart a reactor to prove its ability to independently manage the plant.
* Greenpeace experts have observed a 125-mile power line built by Russia from Mariupol, potentially intended for connection to the plant.
How Significant is the Risk?
Following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, European regulators assessed how long a plant could operate without external power. The assessment concluded 72 hours. Zaporizhzhia has now exceeded this limit. While the reactors are currently in a cooled state, the immediate risk is not as high as in Fukushima. However, the long-term risks are substantial.