This week, three Ukrainian nuclear power plants – Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and South Ukraine – have significantly restored their electricity production after last week's military attacks on energy facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports this information.
It is noted that nearly all power units are now operating at full capacity, with only one block functioning at reduced power. Additionally, all high-voltage transmission lines that were lost during the attacks have been restored.
After prolonged assaults on Ukraine's power grid, the IAEA is preparing to deploy a team to visit several substations vital for nuclear safety.
The expert mission will assess the recent damages and potential impacts on the operation of nuclear power plants. This will mark the sixth such mission, according to the IAEA.
At the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), IAEA staff present at the facility have reported daily awareness of military activity, often occurring very close to the plant. On some days, the team reported hearing explosions and gunfire approximately 20 times, and sometimes even more frequently.
Despite the regular sounds of military activity in the area, the IAEA team at ZNPP continues to conduct tours of the facility to monitor and assess nuclear safety.
As reported by the IAEA, in recent days, the team has conducted inspections of two turbine halls and radioactive waste storage facilities. They also observed the testing of an emergency diesel generator and discussed the situation regarding cooling water on site, which is one of the most challenging topics for nuclear safety at ZNPP.
It is worth noting that Ukrainian nuclear power plants were forced to reduce their capacity on November 19, when Russian forces shelled energy facilities around the plants. In particular, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne had already decreased their electricity production due to military actions earlier this month. On November 19, both plants further reduced production after losing connection with one of their high-voltage transmission lines. The South Ukraine NPP also lost contact with a high-voltage transmission line and reported the detection of 11 drones overnight, about a kilometer from the facility.