Economy

For the second time in recent days, three Ukrainian NPPs have reduced their power levels due to Russian shelling

After new attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure the day before, Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukrainian NPPs reduced the country’s electricity production. This was announced by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

According to him, there are nine reactors in total at operating nuclear power plants, and all of them have reduced power as a precautionary step. One reactor at Rivne NPP was also disconnected from the grid.

“For the second time in less than two weeks, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs reduced power levels as a precautionary measure during the large-scale military operations in the country, while air raid warnings were sounded at three facilities. The two IAEA teams deployed in Ukraine were forced to seek protection,” Grossi said and reiterated his call for maximum military restraint in areas with large nuclear power facilities and other facilities on which nuclear power plants depend.

According to the IAEA, there were no reports of direct damage to the nuclear power plants, but Ukraine informed the agency that the strikes again affected electrical substations that the nuclear power plants use to both transmit and receive electricity off-site. These substations, identified by the IAEA as important for nuclear safety, were damaged in previous attacks, including in August.

The IAEA mission continues to work in Ukraine

In September and October, IAEA inspectors visited seven substations located outside of nuclear power plants across Ukraine to assess the situation following the August missile attacks. The inspections revealed “extensive damage”.

Last week, IAEA Director General Grossi said that the mission in Ukraine is ready to continue assessing the extent of damage to facilities and power lines that are important for nuclear safety, as well as to do everything to reduce the risk of a nuclear incident during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The IAEA reminds of the importance of adhering to the seven invariable principles of nuclear safety, one of which states that all nuclear facilities should have a safe off-site power supply.

What are these 7 principles of nuclear safety?

These principles are based on the current IAEA nuclear safety standards and nuclear safety guidelines. They include the following requirements:

1. The physical integrity of all nuclear facilities must be maintained: reactors, fuel pools, radioactive waste storage facilities;

2. All safety and security systems and equipment must be fully functional at all times;

3. Personnel involved in operation must be able to fulfill their respective safety and security responsibilities and have the ability to make decisions without undue pressure;

4. All nuclear sites should have a reliable off-site power supply;

5. There should be uninterrupted logistical supply and transportation chains to and from the sites;

6. There should be effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems, as well as emergency preparedness and response measures;

7. Finally, there should be reliable communication with the regulator and other stakeholders.