Safety concerns

Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant now completely in cold state

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine has now been completely shut down. No radioactivity was released during the procedure, the power plant management announced on Saturday. The building had previously been shot at several times.

The potentially largest nuclear power plant in Europe has a capacity of almost six gigawatts and was occupied by Russian troops shortly after the start of the war. It was later mined. As a result of the shelling, there were growing international concerns about a nuclear accident. However, this has not yet happened. Both warring parties accuse each other of trying to provoke an incident.

Steam produced
The power plant was shut down in September 2022 due to the danger. However, one block was still alternately in a warm state several times. In this state, the reactor did not produce electricity, but steam, which was used for the plant's needs. The cold state is nevertheless considered the safest. In this state, the blocks are shut down at low pressure and are cooled by cold water.

The latest work is said to have been carried out in accordance with operating standards.

Selensky complains about lack of support
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has lamented the lack of military support from the West. "Unfortunately, some of the support is slowing down and we must do everything we can to improve our own capabilities," he said on Friday. The energy sector is one of the country's current problem areas. There are repeated power outages and preparations need to be made for the next heating season.