The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), located in Russian-occupied Ukraine, is on the brink of a full-scale blackout for the second time in just one week.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy sounded the alarm on November 21 after a Russian attack severed one of the plant’s two remaining power connections to Ukraine's energy grid.
One Line Away from a Crisis
With only a single power line keeping the plant operational, the stakes are perilously high.
If this last connection is lost, the plant would face a complete blackout, jeopardizing the cooling systems essential to prevent overheating and potential nuclear disaster.
“This is the second time this week the ZNPP faces a real blackout threat due to Russian strikes,” stated Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
Halushchenko emphasized the gravity of the threat, particularly as it coincides with a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors in Vienna.
Halushchenko urged swift international intervention to restore Ukrainian control of the plant, stating, “We insist on the urgent and full implementation of the resolution to return control of the occupied plant to Ukraine. Only this can ensure the safe operation of the ZNPP.”
The IAEA has repeatedly warned of the dire risks posed by continued military activity around the plant. Efforts to establish a protective safety zone have stalled despite months of negotiation.
Repair Teams on Standby
While the plant remains in a precarious state, Ukrainian repair crews are ready to restore the damaged power line as soon as the security situation permits.
However, continued shelling has made accessing the facility risky and delayed critical maintenance efforts.
The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and a key component of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Since its occupation in March 2022, it has been at the center of international concern, with repeated calls for the demilitarization of the area and the safeguarding of its operations.
