en.Wedoany.com Reported - Under a localized ceasefire mediated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), repair work on the 750 kV Dniprovska power line, the main external power source for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), has recently commenced. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that this is an important step in strengthening nuclear safety.

IAEA teams will monitor the repair work from both banks of the Dnipro River, having previously observed necessary demining activities. Due to the complexity and significant technical challenges of the repair work, it is expected to take several days: the damaged section of the power line is suspended high above the river, and the area requiring clearance is large, including parts of the old riverbed that still contain water.

This development comes days after the reconnection of the ZNPP's sole backup power line, the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 line. This line had been disconnected following the 19th complete loss of off-site power due to military conflict.

The Dniprovska line was the ZNPP's main external power source before its disconnection at the end of March. Restoring this line is crucial for re-establishing a stronger connection between the plant and the external grid, needed to cool the six shutdown reactors and spent fuel on site. Before the conflict, Europe's largest nuclear power plant had ten external power lines available.

Director General Grossi stated that the initiation of these repair works is an important step for nuclear safety and efforts to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict. Restoring the 750 kV line will provide the plant with a more stable external power supply and reduce its vulnerability following multiple recent losses of off-site power. This localized ceasefire is the sixth such arrangement facilitated by the IAEA since late 2022, aimed at repairing off-site power sources necessary to ensure nuclear safety and security.

The Ferosplavna-1 line was disconnected on June 10 due to military activities damaging the line near the switchyard of the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP). Following the power outage, the plant's emergency diesel generators automatically started and operated as designed. An IAEA team observed repair activities on June 13, and the line was reconnected the same day. This power outage, lasting nearly three days, is one of the longest instances of external power loss for the plant.

Although the 330 kV line has been reconnected, further repair work on the ZTPP switchyard remains important. The Ferosplavna-1 line typically supplies backup power to the plant from this switchyard via two independent circuits, increasing the redundancy of the plant's external power supply. A localized ceasefire facilitated by the IAEA earlier this year allowed for the repair of one of these two circuits.

While monitoring work under the sixth ceasefire, the IAEA was informed of and observed unidentified drones in the vicinity, leading to multiple evacuations of its teams. The agency also continues to receive daily reports of military activities near the plant, including at locations close to the city of Enerhodar, where its team members observed thick smoke on two occasions.

The IAEA was also informed of attacks on the city of Enerhodar, including the death of a plant worker earlier this week. The agency is seeking further information on the situation and emphasizes that all nuclear power plant personnel must be able to carry out their essential work without being subjected to attacks or any form of threat, in line with the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during armed conflict.

Director General Grossi stated that nuclear power plant workers must always be protected. They perform essential work for nuclear safety and security, often under extremely difficult circumstances, and should never be targeted.

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