Moscow – Greenpeace has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by Russia’s plans to restart reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine. The plant, captured by Russian forces in March 2022, is at the forefront of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the safety of the nuclear plant. Greenpeace emphasized that operating a nuclear plant in an active war zone violates international nuclear regulations.
Despite initial plans to connect the reactors to Russia’s energy grid being abandoned, Russian officials have hinted at a possible restart of nuclear energy generation at the plant. This move has sparked concerns about the safety of such operations, especially given the ongoing conflict in the region.
Amidst the tensions, Greenpeace has accused Grossi of being complacent and called for a complete halt to any plans to restart the reactors. The environmental group has pointed out potential challenges, such as ensuring there is enough cooling water available for safe operation, especially after the nearby dam collapse last June.
The IAEA has inspectors present at the site, but access restrictions imposed by Russia have raised criticism. The fragile situation at the plant is further exacerbated by a limited power supply to the cooling system, with emergency measures required several times over the past 18 months to prevent overheating of the reactors.
As the discussions continue between international agencies and Russian authorities, the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains uncertain. The potential risks and implications of restarting operations in a conflict zone are at the center of the ongoing debate surrounding the plant’s future.