IAEA Chief: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant's Cooling Tower Beyond Repair
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reports severe damage to a cooling tower at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant during his fifth visit. The structure will likely require demolition, raising ongoing safety concerns.
In a recent assessment, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), revealed that a cooling tower at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has sustained significant damage. The structure, impacted by a fire in August 2023, is now deemed irreparable and will likely face demolition.
Grossi made this observation during his fifth visit to the facility since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station with six reactors, has been under Russian control for over two years.
"Until today, we hadn't been able to get to this point, high up in the tower, so we can assess in a much better way the damage that occurred. This big structure is not usable in the future, so it will probably be demolished at some point."
The IAEA chief's visit included inspections of various facilities within the plant complex. Grossi examined a pumping station crucial for water supply, which has become a concern following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023. He also assessed a nuclear fuel storage facility, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the IAEA's monitoring efforts.
Currently, the Zaporizhzhia plant remains in "cold shutdown," producing no electricity. However, it still requires external power to maintain the cooling of nuclear materials and prevent potential accidents. This situation underscores the ongoing safety challenges at the site.
The IAEA, founded in 1957 as an autonomous UN organization, has stationed inspectors at Zaporizhzhia since mid-2022. Their presence aims to ensure nuclear safety and prevent the military use of nuclear technology, aligning with the agency's core mission.
Prior to his Zaporizhzhia visit, Grossi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, describing the situation at the plant as "very fragile." This meeting emphasized the continued diplomatic efforts to address nuclear safety concerns in the region.
The incident at Zaporizhzhia is not isolated. Grossi recently visited the Kursk nuclear plant in southern Russia, expressing concern about potential nuclear accidents due to the proximity of Ukrainian forces, reportedly just 40 km away.
As tensions persist, both Moscow and Kyiv continue to exchange accusations regarding attacks on the Zaporizhzhia plant, further complicating efforts to ensure its safety and stability.
