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Ministry of Energy: Growing water supply issues for reactors at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 14 August 2025 15:19

Over the past two weeks, IAEA personnel have reported a deteriorating situation with the cooling systems for the reactors at the russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which remain in a state of cold shutdown.

"The team noted the increasing challenges of ensuring a reliable cooling water supply for the six reactors and their safety systems in their cold shutdown state, especially under current hot weather conditions, when the evaporation rate is high," said Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General.

According to him, the ZNPP's six reactors have been in cold shutdown since spring 2024 but still require cooling water for their safety systems, reactor cores, and spent fuel pools.

Rafael Grossi also noted that IAEA personnel observed smoke and burnt trees close to the ZNPP cooling towers. Separately, the IAEA teams present to monitor nuclear safety and security at Ukraine's operating NPPs - Khmelnytskyi, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs - and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the past week. At the Khmelnytskyi NPP, the team had to shelter on Monday.

Minister of Energy of Ukraine Svitlana Grynchuk, emphasized the irresponsibility of the russian occupiers' actions, which continue to pose direct threats to nuclear safety. She noted that any provocations in the vicinity of the plant could lead to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences.

According to her, the occurrence of such incidents is evidence of the aggressor's reckless policy.

"russia once again proves that its actions pose a real threat to nuclear safety, not only for Ukraine but for the entire European continent. Pressure on russia must continue. Ukraine's position remains unchanged: the only path to restoring nuclear safety and stability in the region is the complete demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and its return to full Ukrainian control," stated Svitlana Grynchuk.