Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has once again been left without external power

The temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant completely lost external power again on August 20. The plant switched to backup diesel generators, which ensure the operation of critical safety systems.

This was reported by Energoatom. The current incident is the 27th blackout at ZNPP since the Russian occupation and already the 15th since the beginning of 2026.

Thus, more than half of all complete losses of external power at the plant during the occupation occurred in this year.

The previous blackout, which was reported by Kurs Ukrainy, happened on August 4. That was the 24th incident since the start of the occupation and the 12th in 2026. So, in less than three weeks, the number of complete power losses at ZNPP increased by three more.

Energoatom head Pavlo Kovtoniuk previously emphasized that regular transitions to backup power create additional load on the plant's equipment. Frequent use of diesel generators accelerates their wear and increases risks to nuclear and radiation safety.

Diesel generators are a backup source of electricity and are used to support systems critical for the safe state of a nuclear power plant in case of loss of power from the grid.

Energoatom called the situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant fragile and stated that regular blackouts under Russian control increase risks to its safe operation.

The company emphasizes that stable and safe operation of ZNPP can be guaranteed after the de-occupation of the plant and its return under full control of Ukraine and the legitimate operator – Energoatom.

According to: Energoatom