Ukraine's nuclear plant has lost power supply

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been without off-site power for more than a week and is currently relying on emergency diesel generators, the UN's nuclear watchdog said on Saturday (Aug 29).



The plant, which needs power to keep its six non-operating reactors cool, has only a 10-day diesel supply on site, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement.



It has not had a delivery to an off-site storage facility in about six months, but the plant had been supplied with diesel on Thursday and Friday from another off-site location, the IAEA added.



"The availability of diesel fuel is of paramount importance whenever a nuclear power plant loses off-site power," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.



"The current situation once again shows why reliable external power and secure supply routes are indispensable for nuclear safety and security."