Last minute news! Ukrainian State Nuclear Energy Company Energoatom reported that the last reactor operating at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant has stopped operating.
In the written statement made by the company, it was pointed out that all connections of the Zaporizhia NPP with the Ukrainian network were damaged due to the conflicts in the region.
In the statement, which included the information that a connection of the power plant with the Ukrainian network was restored on the night of September 11, the statement said, “In this way, electricity could be supplied to the power plant and it was decided to stop the operation of the only reactor operating in the power plant and switch it to the safest ‘cold stop’ state.”
EUROPE’S LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in the southeast of Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
The power plant, which has 6 nuclear reactors and an electricity generation capacity of 5,700 megawatt-hours, provides 20 percent of the total electricity in Ukraine.
The power plant was captured by the Russians on March 4. Artillery attacks are taking place around the power plant, which is currently under the control of the Russian army. Ukraine and Russia blame each other for these attacks.
IAEA’S REPORT
On the other hand, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pointing out that the physical integrity of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is under serious threat due to ongoing conflicts, announced that the parties should agree to establish a “nuclear security and safety protection zone” around the plant in order to eliminate this threat. .
The IAEA shared with the public the report it prepared on the nuclear power plants and facilities in Ukraine, especially in Zaporizhia and Chernobyl.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had reported that the physical integrity of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant was under serious threat due to ongoing conflicts.
In the report, it was pointed out that failure to protect the physical integrity of the nuclear power plant would have serious consequences, and it was emphasized that the damage caused by the conflicts did not affect the radiation level for the time being, but the danger of developments that could lead to a nuclear emergency continues if the conflicts continue.
In the report, it was stated that the mission sent by the agency to the power plant started to work on the damaged structures and the necessary support was given to ensure nuclear safety and security, and recommendations were made to the parties regarding important steps to be taken.
“PARTIES AGREE FOR SAFE ZONE”
While the agency advises the parties to stop the attacks immediately in order to prevent damage to the facility and its surroundings where the power plant is located, to preserve the safety and physical integrity of the employees, it was stated that “For this, all relevant parties must agree on the creation of a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the Zaporizhia NPP.”
In the report, which warned that the physical and psychological conditions of the employees should be taken into consideration for the smooth operation of the nuclear power plant and to avoid any possible danger, the importance of restoring normal working conditions, including family support, for the employees and leaving the power plant to the administration of the Ukrainian authorities was pointed out.