Repairs completed at ZNPP despite ongoing military activities

Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP) welcomed the 25th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team to be deployed at the facility since Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi established the Agency presence there in September 2022. Once the team passed the front lines of Russian security, staff escorted them to the factory site.

The IAEA reported that ZNPP unit 1 was returned to cold shutdown mode following the successful completion of welding and radiography tests on a leaking impulse line. The facility continues to investigate the underlying cause of the malfunction, which does not have a direct impact on nuclear safety.

Last week, IAEA team members reviewed the current power configuration at ZNPP, which remains a source of deep concern for nuclear safety and security. At the end of October, they were informed that after the successful high voltage test, two spare transformers started working again and the remaining four spare transformers would be maintained by the end of the year.

Negotiations were held with ZNPP regarding the facility’s preparations for the cold winter months. The facility confirmed that all six reactors will remain in cold shutdown and the required heating will instead be provided by on-site boilers. The IAEA team also visited the reactor and containment building of unit 4, as well as some emergency diesel generators of units 1 and 5, without detecting any nuclear safety and security issues.

The IAEA reported that the team continued to hear frequent explosions some distance from ZNPP, but no damage was reported at the facility.

However, Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Sovereignty Commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and Co-Chairman of the Coordination Council for the Integration of New Territories, reported: Telegram The nearby operator town of Energodar was bombed by the Ukrainian army and residents of two residential areas were left without electricity. He said at least three attacks on power grids and power lines were recorded. He added that in late October, Ukrainian drones attacked Energodar, setting fire to a propane tank and killing a 67-year-old man.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Energodar and the coastline near ZNPP were also reported by the Governor of the Zaporozhye region, Yevhen Balitsky. He said at least five explosions were recorded Telegram channel. He called on residents to remain calm and stay in their homes during the attack. He noted that air defense systems were working. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense warned that Ukrainian special services continue to carry out sabotage activities against ZNPP employees and residents of Energodar.

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