IAEA urges Russia and Ukraine to agree a ceasefire at the ZNPP

Moscow (ANTARA) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that it is negotiating with Moscow and Kyiv to achieve a temporary local ceasefire to allow repairs to the external power-supply lines at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). ‘ZNPP remains dependent on its last external power line, as the IAEA continues negotiations with Ukraine and the Russian Federation to secure a temporary local ceasefire for repairs,’ the IAEA said in a statement, citing Director General Rafael Grossi. After the main 750 kV ‘Dneprovskaya’ (Dniprovska) line was cut on 24 March, ZNPP has been receiving external power via the 330 kV ‘Ferrosplavnaya-1’ backup line. During this period, the plant has lost external power supply three times. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River (Dnipro), near Enerhodar. It is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in terms of number of units and installed capacity, with six units, each capable of generating one gigawatt. As of October 2022, the plant was under Russian ownership.