IAEA-brokered ceasefire takes effect to restore power to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - VIENNA — An International Atomic Energy Agency-brokered “localized ceasefire” took effect Saturday to allow repairs to a power line supplying Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is running low on diesel fuel after losing its last source of off-site electricity.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the plant lost connection to its sole remaining power line, the 330-kilovolt Ferosplavna-1, on Aug. 20 due to military activity on the northern side of the Dnipro River.

Since then, Europe's largest nuclear power plant has relied on emergency diesel generators to cool its six reactors and spent fuel pools.

“The plant is now running low on diesel fuel reserves and faces a possible station blackout within days unless off-site power is restored or more fuel reserves can be transported to the site, located in an active war zone,” the IAEA said.

Ukrainian technicians were expected to begin repairs later Saturday after mines are cleared from the area around the damaged power line under the temporary ceasefire.

The IAEA said both sides had engaged constructively with the agency to facilitate the work in the interest of nuclear safety and security.

An IAEA team will monitor the repairs during the ceasefire, the seventh negotiated by Grossi as part of efforts to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict.

The situation around the Zaporizhzhia plant remains tense, with Moscow and Kyiv repeatedly accusing each other of attacks around the facility.

IAEA personnel have maintained a presence at the plant since Sept. 1, 2022. The facility has been under Russian control since March 2022.