Final reactor at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant stopped

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s atomic energy operator stated Sunday that the final reactor at Europe’s largest nuclear energy plant has been shut down after the plant was reconnected to the electrical energy grid.

The six-reactor Zaporizhzhia plant was disconnected from the grid final week in any case its energy strains had been disconnected because of preventing within the space, and was working in “island mode” for a number of days, producing electrical energy for essential cooling methods from its solely remaining reactor in operation.

Nuclear operator Energoatom stated that one of many energy strains was restored late Saturday, permitting plant operators to close down the final reactor.

The corporate stated the chance stays excessive that outdoors energy is reduce once more, wherein case the plant must fireplace up emergency diesel mills to maintain the reactors cool and stop a nuclear meltdown. The corporate’s chief advised The Related Press on Thursday that the plant solely has diesel gasoline for 10 days.

The plant, one of many 10 largest atomic energy stations on the planet, has been occupied by Russian forces for the reason that early levels of the conflict. Ukraine and Russia have blamed one another for shelling across the plant that has broken the facility strains connecting it to the grid.

In an announcement early Sunday, Energoatom urged Russian forces to go away the Zaporizhzhia plant and permit for the creation of a “demilitarized zone” round it.

The Worldwide Atomic Power Company, the United Nations nuclear watchdog which has two specialists on the plant, did not instantly reply to a request for remark Sunday. Its director has referred to as for a protected zone across the plant to avert a catastrophe.

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Observe the AP’s protection of the conflict at