During the work, specialists from the Ukrainian electricity grid operator will restore the damaged 330 kV power line, which was disconnected on January 2 due to hostilities. Representatives of the IAEA have already flown from Vienna to monitor the repair work on the front line. Grossi emphasized that this is already the fourth such agreement for a temporary ceasefire.
In light of the ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the IAEA is also preparing a new expert mission to assess the condition of ten critically important substations necessary for ensuring nuclear safety in the country. These facilities play a key role in providing electricity for the cooling systems of reactors and other vital functions.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located near Enerhodar and having six power units with a total capacity of 6000 MW, remains the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Since March 2022, it has been under Russian control and is operated by the Joint Stock Company "Rosenergoatom." All reactors at the plant are currently shut down but require constant cooling. Electricity for the cooling system comes from the external grid, and in case of outages, backup power is supplied by diesel generators.
The plant has repeatedly come under shelling during the conflict, with both sides accusing each other of these attacks. The question of the future management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after the war remains one of the key issues in discussions on ways to achieve peace.
