Blackout poses no risks of nuclear incidents at ZNPP — Rosenergoatom official

There is no threat of nuclear incidents in connection with the blackout at the Zaporozhye NPP, as backup systems are operating normally and there is enough fuel for diesel generators, Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the CEO of the Rosenergoatom concern, said this on the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Thursday.

On Wednesday evening Ukraine completely cut off power supply for the nuclear power plant. Diesel generators had to be turned on. Karchaa previously explained that the power outage was due to a short circuit on the Ukraine-controlled territory. Kiev argued that the line was de-energized as a result of a "Russian shelling", there was not enough fuel for diesel generators at the ZNPP, and the situation was allegedly fraught with nuclear incidents.

"It’s not the first such incident, is it? Everything is absolutely normal. Highly professional specialists work at the station. Diesel generators were turned on automatically. There are 20 of them at the power plant. The rules and regulations describe the trouble-shooting procedures. Unfortunately, such situations occur frequently. There are no threats or risks of a nuclear incident. There is more than enough fuel. If necessary, more will be brought to the power plant. We will respond to the situation as it develops," he said.

The 6 GW Zaporozhye NPP is located in the city of Enerhodar. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. At the end of February 2022, the facility was put under control by Russian forces. Since then, the Ukrainian army has systematically shelled both the residential areas of Energodar and the power plant’s premises, using drones, heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems.