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Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant on Diesel Generators with About 10 Days of Fuel

Loss of external power forces continuous generator use and has prompted IAEA efforts to secure a local ceasefire so crews can repair the transmission line.

Overview

  • The Russian-held Zaporizhzhia plant has been without off-site power for more than a week after fighting on the northern bank of the Dnipro, forcing the site to run essential cooling systems on emergency diesel generators.
  • The IAEA says the plant holds roughly 10 days of diesel on site after limited deliveries on Aug. 26–27 and that off-site storage had not received fuel for about six months.
  • The agency is pressing for a temporary local ceasefire to allow repair crews to restore the Ferrosplavnaya‑1 high-voltage line that supplies the plant with external electricity.
  • IAEA teams reported three drone incidents near the site during the week that injured two employees and increased concerns about worker safety and access for technical teams.
  • Although plant and Russian officials say staff have sustained safe operation on generators, the reactors—shut since 2022—still require uninterrupted power for cooling and a prolonged outage could raise the risk of fuel overheating and wider radiological consequences.