Vienna 10th September : Rafael Mariano Grossi Director General of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the current situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine is getting “increasingly unstable” after the shelling triggered an absolute blackout in the city of Enerhodar.In a statement issued on Friday, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog said that the shelling of the switchyard in the power station in Enerhodar which is which is home to the Zaporizhzhia plant’s operators as well as their families has damaged the power grid of the city, leading to an absolute blackout according to Xinhua news agency.
“Given the continued and increased shelling, there’s no possibility of getting back offsite power” to the plant, Grossi said.
He confirmed that the Zaporizhzhia plant’s owner is contemplating closing the plant’s sole operating reactor, leaving the plant totally dependent on diesel generators in emergency situations to ensure critical nuclear security and safety functions.
Grossi also stated that the increasingly dangerous situation at Enerhodar could affect the availability of personnel at the nuclear plant.
He reiterated his demand for the immediate stoppage of any shelling around the plant and the creation of an “nuclear security and safety zone immediately.”
“This is the only method to guarantee we don’t suffer the possibility of a nuclear catastrophe,” he warned.
Zaporizhzhia Zaporizhzhia, one of Europe’s biggest nuclear power stations, has been under the control of Russian forces since the beginning of March however, its Ukrainian personnel continue to run it.
Recently, the area of the plant was targeted by bombs, with Ukraine and Russia accusing each of being guilty of the attacks.
