Zaporizhzhia NPP without external power: station running on backup diesel generators

Loss of the last external power source

On 8 November, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant completely lost access to external electricity supply. This was announced by the National Atomic Energy Generating Company "Energoatom".

According to company data, at 02:36 in the morning, ZNPP was left without power from the last functioning 330 kV transmission line, "Ferosplavna-1". It was this main line that provided the station's connection to the Ukrainian power grid.

Operation in blackout mode

An automatic attempt to re-energise the line yielded no result. As a result, the station found itself isolated from external energy sources. Currently, all of ZNPP's own needs are met exclusively by backup diesel generators.

«Це вже 16-й випадок повної втрати зовнішнього електропостачання ЗАЕС від початку 2026 року. Знеструмлення станції становить критичну загрозу для ядерної та радіаційної безпеки» (This is already the 16th case of complete loss of external power supply to ZNPP since the beginning of 2026. The de-energisation of the station poses a critical threat to nuclear and radiation safety), Energoatom emphasised.

Potential risks and causes of the situation

The company explained that operating in blackout mode carries a direct risk of failure of life support systems and nuclear fuel cooling. This threat becomes effective if the diesel generators break down or exhaust their operational resource. This could lead to a radiation accident.

Representatives of Energoatom add that the systematic loss of external power supply is a consequence of the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

«Відновлення ядерної та радіаційної безпеки станції можливе лише за умови її повного повернення під контроль України та законного оператора – НАЕК "Енергоатом"» (Restoration of the station's nuclear and radiation safety is possible only under the condition of its full return to the control of Ukraine and its legal operator – NAEK "Energoatom"), the company stated.