By Maggie Johnson
December 6, 2024
Ukraine's three active nuclear power plants (NPPs) have largely restored electricity production after reducing output last week due to renewed attacks on the country's already fragile energy grid, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mariano Grossi. The NPPs – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne, and South Ukraine – each contain reactors that have gradually resumed full or partial operation after the 28 November military strikes, which impacted the electrical infrastructure critical for nuclear safety. While most reactors are functioning again, some operate at less than full capacity, and several off-site power lines connecting the plants remain disconnected.
Grossi emphasized that a stable electricity grid is essential to nuclear safety, as it provides the off-site power necessary for safe plant operations, particularly in winter. Despite the challenges, plant operators have shown remarkable resilience in maintaining nuclear safety and resuming electricity generation. However, Grossi expressed ongoing concerns about the fragile grid situation and announced that the IAEA would continue monitoring developments, including conducting follow-up expert visits to the electrical substations that serve the plants. He also called for maximum restraint to avoid any actions that might further jeopardize nuclear safety.
Despite the ongoing military conflict, including frequent air raid alerts, IAEA teams reported that nuclear safety and security at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne, and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site are being maintained. On Tuesday, IAEA team members at Khmelnytskyy briefly sheltered at the site due to air raid alarms, but there was no impact on the plant. In South Ukraine, the IAEA team detected 17 drones within three kilometers of the site earlier this week, but there was no direct threat to operations.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's largest NPP, Zaporizhzhya, has been out of operation for over two years, with its six reactors in cold shutdown. These reactors still require off-site power for safety functions, but the external power situation remains unstable, with frequent outages. The Zaporizhzhya site's last remaining 750 kV power line was disconnected between 21-23 November, and a backup 330 kV line was also disconnected for two days over the weekend. The IAEA team noted that the voltage stabilizer for the 750 kV line, located outside the plant in an open switchyard, was undergoing repairs after being automatically disconnected due to a protection mechanism. The stabilizer is expected to be operational within a month, although the 750 kV line was unaffected.
The IAEA has been closely monitoring maintenance activities at Zaporizhzhya, particularly on reactor units 2, 3, and 6. The team also visited unit 1 to inspect repairs conducted last month on a leaking impulse line. Gamma radiography conducted on 30 other locations in unit 1 revealed one additional degraded weld, but no leaks. Both problematic welds were repaired and tested. The IAEA will continue to monitor this issue. However, the team has been denied access to the external spare parts warehouse and the diesel fuel storage facility at Zaporizhzhya. They were informed that the diesel fuel storage tank was damaged over two years ago and has since been repaired.
Despite hearing explosions most days, often from distant locations, the IAEA confirmed that there has been no damage to the Zaporizhzhya plant. In response to the ongoing challenges, the IAEA has been delivering equipment to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. The total number of deliveries now stands at 86, including a dosimetry system for the VostGok uranium ore mining and processing plant, which will improve staff monitoring for radiation exposure. Japan funded the equipment. The Hydrometeorological Center and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine also received three portable liquid nitrogen generators, funded by Denmark. A Cisco router with 10 switches was delivered to the Rivne NPP with funding from Ireland.
In collaboration with France and Ukraine's Energoatom, the IAEA also facilitated the delivery of spare parts and rubber products needed to maintain emergency diesel generators in South Ukraine. These deliveries are part of a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, which also includes regular inspections, training, and ongoing equipment support. Since the conflict began, equipment valued at over 14 million euros has been provided to bolster the safety measures at Ukraine's nuclear facilities.
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