Dhe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a preliminary all-clear regarding access to cooling water for Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Although the water level of the Kachowka reservoir fell below the 12.7 meter mark on Thursday, which had previously been described as critical, the pumps could continue to draw cooling water for the nuclear power plant, said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday night Vienna.
If alternative, local reservoirs are included, cooling can be ensured for several months even if the reservoir water fails. Nevertheless, the overall situation remains “very delicate and potentially dangerous”.
The dam was partially destroyed by an explosion last Tuesday. Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of being responsible. Although the dam is 150 kilometers away, the Dnipro River reservoir is essential for cooling the Zaporizhia power plant.
Water level dropped to 11.7 meters
Since the disaster on Tuesday, the water level had dropped by almost five meters to 11.7 meters by Friday morning, the state hydroelectric power plant operator announced in Kiev. In view of the falling water level, the operator of the nuclear power plant occupied by Russian troops had previously warned that access to the cooling water was threatened.
On the other hand, Grossi, citing data from IAEA employees stationed as observers at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant site, said pumping “can continue even if the level falls below the current threshold of 12.7 meters.”
According to these observations, the critical threshold is around eleven meters “or below”. According to data from the IAEA team, the water level at the extraction point for the nuclear power plant has fallen by 4.1 meters since the explosion at the dam and is currently falling by 4 to 7 centimeters per hour. “In these difficult and challenging circumstances, that gives some time before potentially having to switch to other water sources.”
Grossi: “Large water reservoir nearby”
Grossi pointed to a “large water reservoir near the power plant” as well as smaller ponds, canals and fountains on the site “which can provide the necessary cooling water … for several months”. Grossi wants to visit Europe’s largest nuclear power plant again next week. Zaporizhia’s six reactors have been shut down for months but, like the spent fuel pool, need constant cooling to avoid a meltdown.
Grossi pointed out that the extent of the destruction of the dam is still unclear. Therefore, according to the IAEA boss, it is not clear when and at what level the water level will stabilize. In order to be able to better assess the situation, the IAEA experts deployed there had applied for access. They wanted to visit both the place where the level is measured and the lines branching off to the nuclear power plant.
The nuclear power plant is supplied with cooling water from the reservoir of a combined heat and power plant located closer to the reservoir. The places in question are in the area that the Russian occupying forces have controlled since the spring of last year.
