The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to receive electricity via the only remaining operational high-voltage line — "Ferroalloy". According to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, the second line, "Dniprovska", has been disconnected since late March after damage to power line supports. Thus, the external power supply scheme for the six-unit plant has been reduced to the minimum permissible level of redundancy.
The key power distribution hub — the Raduga substation — is attacked almost daily. Due to continuous shelling, repair crews cannot begin restoration work. The situation is exacerbated by accumulated damage: previously, strikes on the cooling tower, transport workshop, and oil-diesel facility were recorded. On May 2, a drone hit the radiation laboratory building.
All six ZNPP reactors are in cold shutdown mode, but maintaining this state safely requires a stable power supply for control, cooling, and radiation monitoring systems.
The issue of establishing a temporary ceasefire for repair work at the Raduga substation is being discussed with the participation of IAEA representatives. Likhachev expressed his expectation that an agreement will be reached by the end of May. Until then, any restoration operations are excluded, and the plant remains dependent on a single external input.
Read more on the topic:
- Rostekhnadzor inspected fresh nuclear fuel at Zaporizhzhia NPP: UST-1 and UST-2 units found to be in good condition
- "Ferrosplavnaya-1" line at Zaporozhye NPP restored ahead of schedule
- Zaporozhye NPP Officially Recognized as a Russian Nuclear Energy Facility: Rostekhnadzor Issues License for Unit No. 2