Ukrainian Officials Warn of Risks in Potential Restart of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Ukrainian Energy Chief Highlights Critical Issues Amid Russian Intentions to Reignite Operations
Petro Kotyin, the CEO of Energoatom, which previously operated the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, has issued a stark warning regarding the safety of the facility if Russia attempts to restart its operations.
His comments came in response to Alexey Likhachov, the head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, who indicated the possibility of initiating operations at the plant, now under Russian control since early 2022, contingent on 'military and political conditions.'
Kotyin emphasized that restarting the plant would require addressing 'serious problems' that currently exist.
He noted the absence of sufficient cooling water, a lack of qualified personnel, and insufficient incoming electricity to resume energy production.
Energoatom has expressed a willingness to restart the plant, but only if Russian forces withdraw and the area is cleared of explosives.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russian troops have deployed mines in the vicinity of the plant, which raises safety concerns.
Kotyin stated that Ukraine would need between two months to two years without military threats to implement a complex 27-step safety protocol for a safe restart of the plant.
Furthermore, he asserted that no reactor could be restarted while hostilities continue.
Additional complications include the requirement for new on-site pumping stations to ensure adequate cooling water supply, following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in June 2023, which had previously provided ample cooling water.
The plant’s electrical supply also poses a challenge for any potential restart, as three of the four high-voltage power lines servicing Zaporizhzhia are currently in regions occupied by Russian forces.
Kotyin noted that these lines have been damaged and repairs are unfeasible amid the ongoing conflict, leaving only two lines currently operational, one from Ukrainian-controlled territory and another with lower capacity.
The situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains precarious, reflecting broader tensions in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
His comments came in response to Alexey Likhachov, the head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, who indicated the possibility of initiating operations at the plant, now under Russian control since early 2022, contingent on 'military and political conditions.'
Kotyin emphasized that restarting the plant would require addressing 'serious problems' that currently exist.
He noted the absence of sufficient cooling water, a lack of qualified personnel, and insufficient incoming electricity to resume energy production.
Energoatom has expressed a willingness to restart the plant, but only if Russian forces withdraw and the area is cleared of explosives.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russian troops have deployed mines in the vicinity of the plant, which raises safety concerns.
Kotyin stated that Ukraine would need between two months to two years without military threats to implement a complex 27-step safety protocol for a safe restart of the plant.
Furthermore, he asserted that no reactor could be restarted while hostilities continue.
Additional complications include the requirement for new on-site pumping stations to ensure adequate cooling water supply, following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in June 2023, which had previously provided ample cooling water.
The plant’s electrical supply also poses a challenge for any potential restart, as three of the four high-voltage power lines servicing Zaporizhzhia are currently in regions occupied by Russian forces.
Kotyin noted that these lines have been damaged and repairs are unfeasible amid the ongoing conflict, leaving only two lines currently operational, one from Ukrainian-controlled territory and another with lower capacity.
The situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains precarious, reflecting broader tensions in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
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