Repair Work on Damaged Off-Site Power Lines of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Begins

　　On the 18th, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on social media that repair work on the damaged power lines of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has begun, after the plant lost off-site power for four weeks.

　　IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi mentioned that following the establishment of a local ceasefire zone, safety-related repair work at the nuclear power plant has been permitted and has commenced. He said that both Russia and Ukraine have engaged constructively with the IAEA to ensure the complex repair plan can proceed.

　　Grossi emphasized that restoring off-site power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is crucial for nuclear safety and security.

　　The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of the largest nuclear power plants in Europe. After the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in February 2022, Russian forces took control of the plant. Since then, the plant has been repeatedly shelled or attacked by drones, raising international concerns about its safety. Since September 23, the plant has relied on backup diesel generators for multiple consecutive days to maintain operations. In a statement on September 30, Grossi noted that this is the longest period the plant has been without external power since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began.