16th blackout since start of year: Zaporizhzhia NPP left without external power supply
On 8 November at 02:36, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station lost power from the last operational 330 kV ‘Ferosplavna-1’ line, which connected it to the Ukrainian power grid.
This was reported by Energoatom, as relayed by Censor.NET.
What is known
It is noted that an attempt to automatically reclose the line was unsuccessful. At present, the plant’s own power requirements are being met exclusively by backup diesel generators.
Threat to nuclear and radiation safety
Energoatom emphasises that this is already the 16th instance of a complete loss of external power supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant since the start of 2026. The power cut at the plant poses a critical threat to nuclear and radiation safety.
Operating in blackout mode poses a direct risk of failure of the life support and nuclear fuel cooling systems should the diesel generators break down or reach the end of their service life, which could lead to a radiation accident.
"The systematic loss of external power supply is a consequence of the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The restoration of the plant’s nuclear and radiation safety is only possible if it is fully returned to the control of Ukraine and its lawful operator – NAEK ‘Energoatom’," the company added.
