ZAPORIJIA. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been reconnected to Ukraine’s main electricity grid. However, the risk of an accident has still not been ruled out.
[Mise à jour le 26 août 2022 à 14h44] Back to normal, or almost, in the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine. In Zaporijia, one of the plant’s reactors was reconnected to the Ukrainian electricity grid this Friday, August 26, 2022 at midday, a little less than 24 hours after being disconnected. A first relief while the connection to the main network is necessary to avoid any disaster. However, the site is still occupied by Russia and the surrounding area is still under bombardment. Enough to leave the risk of an escalation still hovering, the plant having become one of the central battles of the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Zaporizhia nuclear power plant disconnected, what does that mean?
It is a historical fact that happened, leading to fear the worst for Ukraine and Europe. The Ukrainian power plant in Zaporizhia was disconnected from the Ukrainian electricity grid on Thursday August 25, 2022, after bombings on the power lines that supply it. However, its permanent connection is necessary for the cooling of the reactors. Without cooling, overheating them could lead to a nuclear accident. Fortunately, the situation did not worsen, a backup system having taken over in order to maintain a certain level of cooling of the site. Before the connection is finally fixed.
What are the risks at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant?
However, on the side of the International Atomic Energy Agency, there is concern. “The installation is working, but with difficulties, so that in the current circumstances the scenario of an accident cannot be excluded. There are continuous interruptions in the electricity supply, problems with spent fuels… An accident makes you go from green to red without transition. So, I am indeed worried” affirmed Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, in an interview granted to the World.
It must be said that changing the source of electricity supply at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is not as simple as unplugging and plugging in a lamp at home. Procedures must be followed scrupulously. According to the boss of Ukrainian nuclear, Petro Kotin, 90 minutes without electricity would be enough for the temperature of the reactors to become worrying, evoking the possibility of a start of fusion on the site within this period.
Where is the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant located?
The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is located on the banks of the Dnieper River, in the southern part of Ukraine. The site is not in the direct vicinity of the city, but about fifty kilometers as the crow flies to the south-west of the town. It is precisely installed on the territory of the city of Enerhodar.
While Ukraine currently has five nuclear power plants on its territory, that of Zaporijia is the most powerful in Europe.