Ukraine’s Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was temporarily cut off from the electric grid for the first time ever on Thursday, triggering a blackout and adding to fears that the facility is at risk of a major disaster.
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The disruption occurred after a fire broke out at a nearby ash pit, interfering with the plant’s last operational power line, according to Ukraine’s nuclear operator, Energoatom.
“As a result, the station’s two working power units were disconnected from the network,” Energoatom said in a statement.
“The actions of the invaders caused a complete disconnection of the ZNPP (Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant) from the power grid — the first in the history of the plant,” it added.
The supply disruption underscores the peril of the situation at Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which fell under Russian control at the start of the war.
Recent shelling in the area has raised fears of catastrophe at the plant. Late last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to allow a team of international inspectors to visit the facility.
“Kyiv accepts it. Moscow accepts it. So we need to go there,” International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said.
He added Thursday that he hopes to send a team to the nuclear plant within “days.” “Almost every day there is a new incident at or near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant,” Grossi said in a statement.
“We can’t afford to lose any more time,” he added. “I’m determined to personally lead an IAEA mission to the plant in the next few days to help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation there.”
Inspectors are also expected to be given wider power than initially sought in investigating the plant. Two diplomats with knowledge of the plans told Bloomberg that the international delegation will include security and safety authorities, along with officials responsible for accounting for nuclear materials at the facility.
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The safety and security authorities could allow the IAEA to perform a forensic investigation of the shelling that could be used to hold attackers responsible for the damage.
