Vienna 4th September : Vienna, Sep 4 : International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has yet again been disconnected from its one remaining main power line, but it continues to provide power to the grid using reserve lines.The experts of the agency stationed at the Zaporizhzhia plant were informed by Ukrainian staff on Saturday that the plant’s fourth power line, the last operational power line, 750-kilovolt, was shut down.
Similar incidents occurred last week during shelling at the plant, Xinhua news agency reported.
The three other major power lines outside were destroyed prior to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine according to an IAEA statement.
The facility is dependent on a reserve line that connects the facility to the nearby thermal power plant to provide electricity to the grid.The reserve line is also able to be used to provide an alternative source of power to the plant should it require it, IAEA said.
The IAEA also stated that just one of the Zaporizhzhia plant’s six reactors was in operation.
The IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Friday that six members of the expert mission of the agency were still in the Zaporizhzhia plant, which includes four who will depart next week, and two who will remain as the agency’s presence continues in the long run.
As per the IAEA specialists will “carry out thorough and ongoing work to evaluate any physical damages to the facility, as well as to determine the operation of the primary and backup security and safety systems, and assess the staff’s work conditions in the process of executing urgent security measures at the plant”.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, which is one of Europe’s biggest nuclear power plants is being run by Russian forces since March 1st however its Ukrainian personnel have continued to operate the plant.
Ukraine as well as Russia have exchanged accusations of recent strikes against the plant.
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