Russian invaders are preparing to switch ZNPP power unit 4 from cold to hot shutdown – IAEA

The occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is preparing to switch unit No. 4 from the cold shutdown state to the hot shutdown state.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Details: According to the Russian occupation forces, this is done to switch power unit No. 5, which is now in a hot shutdown state, to a cold shutdown state for maintenance work.

The IAEA explains that the steam generated by one unit during a hot shutdown is used for various nuclear safety purposes, including processing liquid radioactive waste collected in storage tanks.

Quote: "The other units remain in cold shutdown," the IAEA said in a statement.

"However, the IAEA experts are strongly encouraging the ZNPP to investigate all possible options to install an external boiler to generate the steam required, which would enable the site to bring all units into a cold shutdown state. The Ukraine national regulator – SNRIU – has issued regulatory orders to limit the operation of all six units to a cold shutdown state," the report says.

Background: The IAEA still doesn't have access to the roofs of the third and fourth power units of the ZNPP to make sure that there are no mines there.

Earlier, the Armed Forces warned that the Russians may soon begin preparing for provocations at the Zaporizhzhia NPP because objects similar to explosives were placed on the roofs of two power units.

The appearance of new objects on the roof of the fourth power unit of Zaporizhia NPP was recorded by satellite image service Planet Labs.

On 28 June 2023, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine limited the licenced operating conditions of power units No. 3-6 of Zaporizhzhia NPP to the state of cold shutdown, considering this the best solution in the conditions of temporary occupation of the station by Russian troops and the loss of water resources at the Kakhovka Reservoir after the dam was blown up.

In addition, power unit No. 3 of the ZNPP can also be operated in a state of "stops for repair", the inspectorate noted.

In addition, on 18 August 2022, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine made appropriate changes to the licences for the operation of power units No. 1-2 of ZNPP, according to which the operation of power unit No. 1 is carried out in the states of fuel overload – cold shutdown state, and power unit No. 2 in the cold shutdown state.

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