World News
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant relies on emergency generators after losing off-site power
The IAEA is seeking a local ceasefire to repair electricity lines while the Russian-occupied facility depends on limited diesel supplies to cool its reactors.
The short version
- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southeastern Ukraine has been without external electricity for over a week.
- The facility is using emergency diesel generators to keep its six shutdown reactors cool, with approximately 10 days of fuel available on site as of Saturday.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency is attempting to negotiate a localized ceasefire to allow technicians to repair damaged power lines.
Key facts
- The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been without off-site power for more than a week, marking the 27th blackout at the site since Russia's 2022 invasion according to Ukrainian official Gyunduz Mamedov.[Al Jazeera]
- The IAEA stated that the facility has a 10-day supply of emergency diesel fuel on site to operate cooling systems for its six non-operational reactors.[Al Jazeera]
- The IAEA reported three drone incidents at the plant during the week that injured two employees, though the agency did not specify who launched the drones.[Al Jazeera]
- Russia has occupied the Zaporizhzhia facility since March 2022, and the plant has not generated electricity since September 2022.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether the IAEA will successfully negotiate a local ceasefire to enable power line repairs before diesel supplies run low.[Al Jazeera]
- Responsibility for recent drone strikes in and around the facility remains disputed between Ukrainian and Russian forces.[Al Jazeera]