Europe’s Largest Nuclear Plant In Ukraine Disconnects From Grid

Topline

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Southeastern Ukraine—the largest power plant in Europe—was disconnected from the electricity grid Thursday for the first time in the history of the plant, according to Energoatom, the plant operator, reinforcing growing fears that fighting in the area could trigger a nuclear disaster.

Key Facts

Two operating units at the power plant were disconnected from the grid because of fires in the ash pits of a coal plant near the nuclear plant caused by “actions of the invaders,” Energoatom said, though a final power line running between the plant and the coal power station was still supplying Ukraine’s energy system with power, according to Reuters.

A Russian-installed regional governor said later Thursday the power to all cities and districts in the region had been restored after disruptions, according to CNN.

Officials have warned a loss of power at the plant could spark a dangerous situation by blocking cooling systems needed to ensure the safe operation of the reactors.

The cut-offs come amid shelling at the plant—which has been under Russian occupation since March but still supplies electricity to Ukraine—that both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of carrying out.

The news also comes after a bipartisan group of former senior government officials and nonproliferation experts sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to intervene and ask for an inspection of the plant by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Surprising Fact

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is not only Europe’s biggest, but among the 10 largest power plants in the world, built by the Soviet Union, which started construction in 1984.

Key Background

Russia took control of the Zaporizhzhia plant early in the war, and concerns about fighting in the area have escalated in recent weeks. Ukraine has sounded alarms Russia could try to disconnect the plant to reconnect it to Russia’s electricity grid, a move that poses safety risks and would cut off Ukraine from one of its main energy sources. Thursday’s power cut-off caused residents in the city of Enerhodar, where the plant is located, to lose electricity and water, the city’s mayor Dmytro Orlov said on Telegram, blaming “energy shelling” for the disruption. He later said the city had begun operations to restore power. Ukraine has accused the Kremlin of carrying out explosions at the plant, while Russia has blamed Ukraine for shelling that has damaged parts of the plant. Some residents have had to flee the area because of the attacks.

Chief Critic

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned earlier this month that fighting at the power plant poses a “very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond.” Experts have said the Zaporizhzhia plant is safer than the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine that was the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, according to the Washington Post, though a nuclear catastrophe is still a real threat.

Tangent

In a speech Wednesday, Pope Francis urged “concrete steps” to put a stop to the war in Ukraine and to avoid a potential nuclear disaster at the power plant.

Further Reading

Biden Urged to Act Swiftly on Ukraine Nuclear Plant (Wall Street Journal)

Ukrainian Nuke Plant Near Fighting Cut off From Power Grid (Associated Press)

What to know about Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (Washington Post)