Russian Federation postpones Zaporizhzhya NPP repairs: IAEA concerned

The IAEA said this week that the occupation administration of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant has postponed scheduled maintenance of some of the reactor’s safety systems. This happened a second time recently. The IAEA press service reported this on Friday, March 22.

It noted that following a massive Russian attack on Friday, the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant lost contact with its last main power line for nearly five hours amid reports of large-scale military action in Ukraine, showing constant threat to nuclear safety during conflict.

The power outage and reports of military activity in Ukraine came after the Zaporizhzhya NPP earlier this week postponed scheduled maintenance of some of the reactor’s safety systems due to the “general situation around the plant ,” according to the IAEA.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said it was the second time in recent weeks that the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant has had site repairs delayed, raising concerns about nuclear safety.

“The world’s attention is rightly focused on the ongoing risk of the collapse or loss of power of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant outside of it. But there are several other sensitive areas that we must continue to monitor closely to help prevent risk of a nuclear accident, including maintenance as well as staffing.” and the availability of spare parts. It’s all part of our deep concern for nuclear safety and security at the plant,” Grossi said.

We remind you that on the morning of Friday, March 22, Energoatom reported that the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is on the verge of another blackout due to a massive missile attack from the Russian Federation. Later, power engineers were able to resume operation of the ZNPP power line.