Energoatom reported equipment degradation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following 14 blackouts this year
Since the beginning of 2026, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has experienced 14 complete losses of external power supply. Due to regular switches to backup power, the load on the plant’s equipment is increasing, particularly on the diesel generators that provide its backup power supply.
According to the company, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the ZNPP has already experienced 26 blackouts, 14 of which occurred in the first eight months of 2026 alone.
Each loss of external power forces the plant to switch to backup power sources. This, in turn, creates additional risks to nuclear and radiation safety.
“The situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is deteriorating; we are seeing a decline in the condition of the equipment. Of particular concern is the state of the diesel generator sets. Frequent activation of these units for short periods places a significant strain on the equipment, leading to its wear and tear,” said Pavlo Kovtonyuk, acting chairman of the board of Energoatom.
According to the company representative, the regular use of backup power sources is deteriorating the technical condition of equipment that must remain ready for operation in the event of emergencies.
Energoatom believes that the Zaporizhzhia NPP’s constant switches to backup power and the increased strain on the equipment are the result of improper operation of the plant by the occupying administration.
The company emphasizes the need to de-occupy the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which, in its view, is a necessary condition for ensuring the plant’s stable operation and an adequate level of nuclear and radiation safety.
This was reported by NAEK “Energoatom.”
As a reminder, Russian troops are effectively using the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar as a military base. On July 13, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) warned of the danger posed by the deployment of troops and equipment on the territory of a nuclear facility.
In addition, intelligence reported a severe staff shortage at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. According to the agency, employees are being forced to sign contracts with Rosatom, and specialists brought in from Russia lack the necessary qualifications to fully maintain the plant. Specifically, before the war, approximately 11,000 people worked at the plant; currently, there are about 7,500, including 500 employees of an outsourcing company that does not have a license to perform work at the plant.
