VIENNA, Oct 1 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is facing a critical nuclear safety risk after being cut off from external power for more than a week, the UN nuclear watchdog said in a statement on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said that the agency has been engaging with both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate the restoration of offsite power to the ZNPP as soon as possible.
The plant suffered its complete loss of offsite power for the tenth time on Sept. 23 when its only remaining power line was damaged by military activity about 1.5 kilometres away.
Emergency diesel generators automatically kicked in to supply power for safety systems and to cool the six reactors and spent fuel.
“Although the plant is managing for now with its emergency diesel generators – the last line of defence – and there is no immediate danger as long as they function, this is clearly not a sustainable nuclear safety situation. Neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident,” Grossi warned.
--BERNAMA-XINHUA
