Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Faces escalating Risk as Power Outage Enters fourth Day
KYIV, Ukraine – The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently under Russian occupation, is operating on emergency diesel generators for a fourth consecutive day following a complete disconnection from external power on Tuesday, September 23rd.This is the longest blackout the plant has experienced since Russian forces seized control, sparking growing international concern over a potential nuclear accident.
The outage, which began at 16:56 local time, has forced the plant to rely on its 18 available diesel generators to maintain critical cooling systems and safety functions. While Russian operators claim to have a 20-day supply of diesel fuel, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael grossi has warned that the loss of external power considerably “increases the likelihood of a nuclear accident.”
“[Russia] is using the nuclear power station as a bargaining chip,” a Ukrainian government official told The Guardian, reflecting a growing fear among Western experts and Kyiv that Moscow is deliberately escalating the crisis to solidify its control over the facility – Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.Concerns are also mounting that Russia is considering restarting reactors despite the ongoing conflict and precarious safety situation.
Critical Thresholds and fukushima Parallels
Nuclear safety protocols, established in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, dictate that a nuclear plant should be able to function without external power for up to 72 hours. Though, Ukrainian sources emphasize that this limit has never been rigorously tested at the ZNPP.
The situation echoes the Fukushima crisis, where a loss of power following a major earthquake led to reactor overheating and a catastrophic meltdown. While the ZNPP reactors were already shut down, the continued reliance on diesel generators presents a rapidly diminishing safety margin. Should the generators fail, Ukrainian sources warn that the nuclear fuel in the six reactors could overheat uncontrollably within weeks, potentially triggering a meltdown.
Currently, seven of the available generators are operational, providing essential cooling. Though, the long-term viability of this emergency power supply remains a critical concern.
A History of Disconnections & Intentional Disruption?
This latest power outage marks the tenth since Russian forces occupied the ZNPP. The disconnection occurred via the last remaining power line connected to the Ukrainian grid. The timing and circumstances have fueled suspicions that the outage was not accidental, but rather a deliberate act by Russia to exacerbate the situation.
The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, but access to the plant remains limited, hindering independent verification of safety protocols and fuel supplies. The international community is urging restraint and calling for the immediate restoration of external power to the ZNPP to avert a potentially devastating nuclear incident.
Image: Getty Images – The external power supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, occupied by Russia.
Source: The Guardian with reference to the International Atomic Energy Agency and Ukrainian officials: [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/27/safety-fears-as-external-power-to-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-still-out-after-three-days](https://www.theguardian.