Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 23, 2025 Peace and security
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was successfully reconnected to the Ukrainian power grid today. The plant had been without external power for a month. Repairs were carried out under a local ceasefire agreed upon by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and monitored by its specialists on-site, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
He described the restoration of external power supply to Europe's largest nuclear power plant as "a major positive step."
"Today is a rare, positive day for nuclear safety in Ukraine and beyond, although the overall situation, of course, remains extremely unstable. Exactly one month later… the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is once again receiving the external power needed to cool its six reactors and spent fuel," Grossi stated.
"Since the station's disconnection from the last external power line on September 23, we have been actively cooperating with the Russian Federation and Ukraine to create the necessary security conditions for repair work on both sides of the front line. Despite the war, both sides agreed on the need to restore external power and have been constructively cooperating with us on this matter," he said.
Grossi noted that regular power outages at the nuclear power plant had become "common" during the war. However, the latest incident was "the most serious."
"I would like to express special gratitude to the technicians on both sides of the front line who have worked diligently in recent days to restore power under extremely challenging conditions," Grossi said. He noted that IAEA teams monitored the plant's reconnection process.
Repairs to the Dneprovskaya and Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission lines began last weekend, after temporary ceasefire zones were established. Prior to this, extensive demining operations had been carried out.
The IAEA continues to coordinate with both sides to pave the way for further repairs to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 line, where additional damage was discovered outside the ceasefire zone this week.
The plant's six reactors have been in cold shutdown mode and have not generated electricity for over three years, but they still require power to operate cooling pumps and other nuclear safety equipment. For the past month, the plant has been using emergency diesel generators.
"Much remains to be done to further reduce the risk of a nuclear accident. The next step is to complete repairs to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 power line and prevent potential future power outages," Grossi said.
He called for every effort to be made to ensure the security of the Zaporizhzhya NPP's external power supply.
"The IAEA will continue its indispensable work at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine until this devastating war ends," he stressed.
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