Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP faces catastrophe if generators run out of fuel

Photo: ZNPP could face a catastrophe if the generators run out of fuel (Getty Images)

If the generators at Zaporizhzhia NPP run out of fuel during a power outage, a Fukushima-like disaster could occur, according to Petro Kotin, acting head of Energoatom.

He explains that the constant Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia NPP often interferes with the supply of electricity. In this regard, diesel generators are used. However, no one knows how much diesel is available at the plant.

Kotin notes that if the generators run out of diesel during blackouts, a Fukushima-like disaster could occur at Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Currently, all six reactors at ZNPP are in cold shutdown mode, meaning they are not generating any energy and do not contain any fuel. But this does not mean that the plant is not working.

According to the head of Energoatom, it is impossible to mothball a nuclear facility like a "pasta factory". It is necessary to monitor and maintain cooling systems to prevent overheating of spent fuel.

Reference

In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami led to an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. As a result of the accident, the reactor cores at three power units melted and caused an explosion. It was the largest nuclear disaster after the Chornobyl tragedy.

Situation at ZNPP

Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It was occupied by Russian troops at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russians have deployed military equipment and soldiers at ZNPP and mined the plant's territory. In addition, the occupiers are committing provocations near the nuclear power plant. In particular, Ukrainian intelligence recorded that Russians launched kamikaze drones over the nuclear reactors of the nuclear power plant.