Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant Loses All Off-Site Power for 13th Time

UKRAINE — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on April 14 that Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) “lost all off site power this morning after the disconnection of its last remaining external power line.” The IAEA stated this is the 13th time the plant has lost all off-site power during the military conflict.

“The plant’s emergency diesel generators immediately started operating to provide the power needed for essential safety functions,” the IAEA announced. The agency’s on-site team is monitoring the situation.

In a follow-up statement on April 14, the IAEA announced that “Power has been successfully restored to the ZNPP through the Ferosplavna-1 330 kV power line, bringing an end to the loss of offsite power after approximately 90 minutes.” “The plant’s emergency diesel generators have since been safely shut down,” the IAEA added.

Diesel Generator Dependence and Power Restoration

With the last remaining external power line disconnected, ZNPP was entirely dependent on emergency diesel generators to provide power for essential safety functions, according to the IAEA.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that “off site power loss once again highlights nuclear safety risks during the conflict.”

The IAEA subsequently reported that power was restored through the Ferosplavna-1 330 kV line after approximately 90 minutes, and that diesel generators were safely shut down.

Assessment: The restoration came through the Ferosplavna-1 backup line, not the primary line that was disconnected. This 13th occurrence, while resolved within 90 minutes, indicates that neither side has been able or willing to establish a durable arrangement protecting the power infrastructure feeding ZNPP. Each loss forces the plant onto diesel generators with finite fuel supply until an alternate line can be connected.

IAEA Pursues Local Ceasefire for Power Line Repairs

The IAEA announced on April 14 that it “is continuing consultations with both sides on establishing a local ceasefire to enable repairs on another power line for the ZNPP.” The agency did not identify which power line is being considered for repair or specify which parties are involved in the consultations.

The IAEA’s on-site team at the plant continues to monitor the situation, according to the agency’s follow-up statement on April 14.

Assessment: The IAEA’s call for a local ceasefire to repair “another power line” indicates at least one additional line is damaged and located in or near an active combat zone. The primary line that was disconnected remains out of service; power was restored through the Ferosplavna-1 backup, not through repair of the original line. ZNPP is currently operating on a single backup connection, with no redundancy if Ferosplavna-1 is also lost.

What to Watch

• Stability of restored power: Whether the Ferosplavna-1 330 kV backup line sustains power to ZNPP or experiences further disconnections. ZNPP is currently operating on a single backup line, not its primary connection.
• Local ceasefire progress: Whether the IAEA consultations produce a temporary ceasefire enabling repairs on the additional damaged power line referenced in the IAEA statement.
• Primary power line repair: Whether the original external power line that was disconnected is restored, returning ZNPP to its normal power supply configuration.

ZNPP is operating on a single backup power line with no redundancy. The 13th loss of all off-site power during the conflict, combined with at least one additional damaged line requiring a ceasefire for repairs, indicates that the plant’s power supply remains at sustained risk for the duration of hostilities.