ZNPP has been operating on diesel generators for more than a week - the Ministry of Energy warns of a threat

What happened now - briefly

• ZNPP has been running on backup diesel generators for more than seven days after the last power line was disconnected.

• In the event of an external power outage, emergency power reserves (diesel engines) are used to provide vital cooling and monitoring systems.

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Fuel status and how long it can last

• The Ministry of Energy estimates that the available fuel reserves for backup generators will last for about 10 days - the situation will be critical if external power is not restored or additional diesel is not delivered.

Why it is a threat

• Long-term operation on diesel only is a temporary, emergency solution; in case of generator failure or fuel depletion, the cooling systems of reactors and spent fuel storage facilities may be disrupted. This increases the risk of a radiation release incident.

Official reactions and assessments

• The President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Energy have repeatedly highlighted the threat and demanded international attention; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern and called for safe access for repairs and power restoration.

Technical details (what is done on site)

• Diesel generators are operating at the plant, and IAEA inspectors are on site to monitor the condition of the reactors and systems. Some of the generators automatically switched on after the blackout, while others are in standby or required maintenance.

What can happen next and scenarios

• The best case scenario: restore power supply lines or deliver additional fuel/backup generators → normalisation of power supply to critical systems.

• Pessimistic scenario: generators will fail or run out of fuel, this will create conditions for a serious nuclear incident. Experts call this development «extremely dangerous».

What people and the international community are advised to do

• For the local population: follow instructions from local authorities, prepare for possible planned evacuations in case of emergency (although there are no direct instructions at the moment).

• For international organisations: to increase diplomatic pressure on the parties to the conflict, provide access for inspectors and help with logistics and fuel.