VIENNA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has brokered another localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which took effect on Friday, paving the way for repairs of the facility's power supply, the agency said in a statement the same day.
Demining operations and other preparatory work began Friday morning near a damaged section of the 330 kilovolt Ferosplavna-1 line, whose connection to the plant was cut six months ago, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in the statement.
Grossi said technicians are expected to start repair work on Saturday, aiming to reconnect Ferosplavna-1 to the site in the next few days, adding that the IAEA team based at the ZNPP would monitor the repair process.
The move would restore access to a second external power line for the ZNPP, following the successful repair last month of the 750 kilovolt Dniprovska line.
According to the statement, the initial plan was to repair both lines simultaneously in October, under two localized, temporary ceasefires that allowed technicians from both sides to work. However, during the restoration of the Dniprovska line, additional damage to the Ferosplavna-1 line was discovered at another location closer to the plant itself but outside of the previously agreed ceasefire zones, delaying its reconnection.
"Both sides recognize the risks posed by a prolonged loss of power as well as by limited off-site power redundancy at a nuclear facility. They have worked constructively with us to enable these vital repairs to proceed. However, the overall nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains highly precarious," Grossi said.
The ZNPP's six reactors have not produced electricity for more than three years and are all shut down. However, the plant still needs electricity to power the pumps that cool its reactor cores and spent fuel, and to prevent a meltdown and a possible radioactive release. Enditem
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