Critical power line feeding Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant restored, Energoatom reports
Ukrainian engineers have managed to restore the operation of the 750 kV Dniprovska overhead power line, which supplies the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Ukraine's state nuclear company Energoatom reported on Telegram on March 22.
The critical power line was damaged in a massive Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities earlier that day.
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"At the moment, the temporarily occupied ZNPP is again connected to the integrated power system of Ukraine through two power lines - Zaporizhzhya TPP - Ferroalloy with a voltage of 330 kV and Dniprovska, which provide power for the plant's own needs," Energoatom said.
ZNPP has experienced several power outages since it was occupied by Russian forces, with eight full outages and one partial outage requiring the use of emergency diesel generators and safety systems. Failure of these systems could potentially lead to a serious emergency.
Earlier in the day, Energoatom reported that the plant was on the verge of a complete power blackout.
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"This situation is extremely precarious and threatens an emergency," said Energoatom Chairman Petro Kotin.
“If the last line of communication with the national power grid is disconnected, ZNPP will be in another blackout, which is a serious violation of the conditions for the safe operation of the plant.”
In addition to damage to the power lines, Russia launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya city itself. Early reports say that at least seven buildings were destroyed, and at least 35 damaged.
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Police also reported a "complete restriction" of traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam. The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the Russians had hit the dam of the Dnipro HPP.
In addition, critical infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih. Rolling blackouts have been introduced in the city to compensate for the lack of power.
The energy company DTEK announced the introduction of power blackouts in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts.
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