Ukraine Restores External Power Supply to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Ukrainian energy workers reconnected the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to an external power line on September 7, 2026, ending weeks without external electricity supply. Both Energoatom and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed the development.

Technical Details

According to Energoatom, the ZNPP's own needs were powered through the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 overhead line starting at 19:02 on September 7. The restoration of external power is critical for maintaining safe cooling of the plant's reactors and spent fuel pools, reducing reliance on diesel backup generators.

Nuclear Safety Importance

The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian military occupation since March 2022 and has repeatedly lost its external power connections throughout the conflict, triggering serious international concern. The IAEA has maintained a permanent monitoring team at the facility. Director General Grossi confirmed the reconnection via social media, calling it an important step for nuclear security at the site.

The plant currently operates in cold shutdown mode, with no reactors generating electricity, but external power remains essential for running safety and cooling systems indefinitely.