Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses external power for 15th time this year
The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost external power on Aug. 20 and switched to backup diesel generators, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company Energoatom reported.
It was the plant's 15th blackout since the beginning of 2026 and the 27th since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Energoatom head Pavlo Kovtoniuk said repeated losses of external power were gradually degrading equipment at the plant, while frequent use of emergency diesel generators was accelerating wear.
“The latest blackout once again confirms that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains fragile,” Energoatom said.
Russian forces seized the plant in March 2022, and it has remained under Russian control since then.
All of the plant's reactors are in cold shutdown and are not generating electricity. However, the facility still requires external power for essential safety systems. When external power is lost, the plant relies on emergency diesel generators.