Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), made a visit to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following the destruction of a dam in southern Ukraine. This dam breach compromised a crucial water source used for cooling the plant’s reactors.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear energy company, informed via the Telegram messaging app that Mr. Grossi, along with a team from the IAEA, had arrived at the plant located in Russian-occupied territory. Russian state news media also reported Mr. Grossi’s presence at the plant, which sits near the front line and falls under the control of Russian forces.
Prior to his visit, Mr. Grossi expressed his intentions to cross the front line and conduct an assessment of the plant, spending several hours touring the facility. His trip was slightly delayed due to safety concerns.
Although nuclear power plants are designed to be resilient, the Zaporizhzhia facility has faced challenges during the war. Recently, there were concerns when the Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River was destroyed, resulting in water drainage from a reservoir that supplies a crucial pond at the nuclear plant. This pond plays a vital role in cooling the plant’s reactors and preventing a potential meltdown. As part of his visit, Mr. Grossi aimed to evaluate the water levels in the pond and assess the feasibility of restoring the water supply.
Estimates vary regarding how long the existing water supplies in the pond will last. Mr. Grossi mentioned that there could be enough water for a few weeks or possibly a month or two.
One additional concern is determining the exact depth of the remaining water in the reservoir. Discrepancies were noted between water level readings taken from a thermal power plant near the reactors and measurements obtained from the reservoir itself. Accurate water depth information is crucial for making calculations regarding the most effective way to replenish the cooling pond.
Oleh Korikov, Ukraine’s chief nuclear inspector, emphasized the significant impact of the dam disaster on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Although the plant can currently be operated safely, Mr. Korikov expressed concerns about the Russian forces occupying the site. These forces have subjected Ukrainian engineers at the plant to difficult working conditions, stress, and other forms of abuse.
Mr. Korikov stated that stabilizing the situation would be feasible with responsible management in place, but unfortunately, that is not the case currently.
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