Zaporizhzhia NPP Reconnected to Second Power Line, IAEA Says

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been reconnected to the electricity grid. The Russian side has successfully repaired the 330-kilovolt power line, which was damaged back in May. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described this development on the social network X as a "vital step for nuclear safety," emphasizing its importance for the safe operation of the plant.

This is the second major restoration work carried out in recent months. In October, the plant's primary 750-kilovolt power line was also restored. According to a statement from the plant's Russian administration, these repairs will not only ensure the plant's safety but also enhance the stability of the energy system and heat supply for the city of Energodar.

This work is taking place against a backdrop of mutual accusations. Ukraine's Energy Minister, Svitlana Grynchuk, accuses the Russian side of deliberately shelling the power lines, while Moscow levels similar accusations at Kyiv.

The Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe with six power units and a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts, has been under Russian control since March 2022. Although its reactors are shut down, they require constant cooling, for which an uninterrupted power supply through the two (now operational) lines is critically necessary.