MELITOPOL, February 14. /TASS/. The only reserve power supply line of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), the Ferrosplavnaya-1 line, has been knocked out of operation for an indefinite period due to Ukrainian shelling of the Zaporozhye thermal power station, threatening ZNPP safety, said Yury Chernichuk, the plant's director.
Protection systems shut down the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 power supply line on February 11. Currently, the ZNPP's needs are supplied by the 750 kV high-voltage line Dneprovskaya, the plant noted.
"Due to the night shelling of the region's energy facilities, especially the thermal plant, the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 power supply line is out of order for an indefinite period. Experts are determining the extent of damage, the possibility, and the timing of restoration of equipment," the ZNPP said on its Telegram channel.
The report quoted Chernichuk as saying that "the lack of a backup power supply line endangers the safety of the Zaporozhye NPP's operation." He added that however, the plant's equipment is in a safe condition and the staff is ready to respond.
Ukraine launched 15 artillery strikes on the Zaporozhye thermal power plant on the night of February 14. Energy equipment has been severely damaged, and more than 50,000 residents of the region have been left without electricity. No casualties among operational personnel or civilians were reported. In the morning, Energodar Mayor Maxim Pukhov informed that power supply has been restored in part of Energodar as a result of operational activities.
Light is partially absent in the 1st neighborhood and completely absent in the 4th. The hospital located there is provided with a backup power supply.