Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi. The parties discussed the forthcoming visit of the Agency’s representatives to the russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the impact of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant disaster on the safety of the ZNPP.

The Head of the Ministry of Energy stressed that he welcomed the upcoming visit of the IAEA Director General to the occupied plant and looked forward to the assessment of the real situation at the ZNPP, in particular the state of the equipment and control systems of the nuclear facility.

“The situation at the ZNPP is a nuclear and radiation safety issue not only for Ukraine but for the entire continent. It is very important to ensure safety at the ZNPP and its operation after de-occupation. That is why we welcome your mission, which can help us get an unbiased assessment of what is happening at the ZNPP and the timeframe for putting it back into operation,” German Galushchenko stressed.

The Minister emphasised that the situation in the power system was difficult, in particular due to the disaster at the Kakhovka HPP. The blowing up of the hydroelectric power plant dam by the russian occupiers and the resulting significant drop in the water level in the Kakhovka Reservoir not only poses an additional threat to the ZNPP, but also affects the operation of hydroelectric generation in general. In fact, hydropower plants are operating at reduced capacity.

“The restart of the ZNPP and the operation of at least one of its units in the Ukrainian power system will help us stabilise the situation. This will be particularly important in the most difficult autumn and winter period,” said German Galushchenko.

The Minister noted that the destroyed Kakhovka HPP could not be restored and expressed hope that the IAEA mission would make a realistic assessment of the consequences of the disaster and help Ukraine develop measures to overcome it.

Rafael Grossi, for his part, promised that the IAEA representatives would make every effort to ensure the safety of the ZNPP and to help Ukraine overcome the consequences of the Kakhovka disaster.