IAEA Director General Statement on a Water Leakage at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed that on 9 August 2024, TEPCO found a water leakage at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2, involving an estimated 25 tons of water from the spent fuel cooling system pump room and the heat exchanger room. The leaked water flowed into drain on the floor connected to the water collection pit (floor sump) located in a room of the first basement floor. The Agency was also informed that TEPCO has not found any leakage spread to other rooms at this stage.

As precautionary measure, TEPCO stopped the spent fuel primary cooling pump in order to investigate the cause and evaluated the temperature level at the pool. TEPCO confirmed that the temperature is within normal range and not above around 46 degrees Celsius. This is below the 65 degrees Celsius limitation of operation. The level of accumulated water in the room had stopped rising, and therefore determined that the water leakage had stopped. 

The leaked water was accumulated in the first basement floor as stagnant water. The level of water was lower than the sub-drain water level around the building, which means the leaked water remained inside the building. TEPCO will treat the leaked water through its water treatment facilities.

TEPCO continues to monitor Unit 2 spent fuel pool and water level, and will make an investigation into the leakage and the future countermeasure to decide the repairing plan utilizing a remote control robot.

It is important to highlight that this event is not related to the ALPS treated water discharge. It happened inside the Reactor Building of Unit 2. The Agency was not informed about any breach of the radiation protection standards.

The Director General will continue to keep Member States informed of further developments, as appropriate.

IAEA Director General Statement in Relation to the Agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA






IAEA Director General Statement in Relation to the Agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion | IAEA









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15 Aug 2024

73/2024
Vienna, Austria
  1. The Agency was informed that on 5 August 2024 the Agreement Among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion (the “Agreement”) was signed by representatives of the three countries in Washington D.C. and it has been submitted to their legislative authorities for consideration and approval. 
  2. The Agency was also informed that the purpose of this Agreement is to establish a legally-binding framework to facilitate the communication and exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information between and among Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (US), and the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion plants, nuclear material and equipment from the UK and the US to Australia for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, under the enhanced trilateral security partnership ‘AUKUS’.
  3. The Agency notes that the Agreement reiterates the commitment made previously by these countries to set the highest non-proliferation standard in Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
  4. The Agency also notes that, in accordance with this Agreement, Australia is required to only use nuclear material transferred under the Agreement for naval nuclear propulsion, to not enrich or reprocess any nuclear material received, and to be responsible for the management, disposition, storage and disposal of any spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste resulting from naval nuclear propulsion plants that are transferred to Australia.
  5. The Agency wishes to recall that cooperation under the Agreement requires the application of Australia’s CSA, AP and the Article 14 arrangement to be negotiated by Australia with the IAEA pursuant to the CSA and that Australia has to have in place the Article 14 arrangement and any necessary implementing mechanisms prior to the UK or the US transferring any nuclear material to Australia for naval nuclear propulsion.
  6. The Agreement also requires Australia to collaborate with the other parties on measures to be developed with the IAEA to support the IAEA’s ability to implement Australia’s CSA, AP and the Article 14 arrangement in order to meet its objectives with respect to nuclear material and equipment to be transferred under this Agreement and to continue to verify that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material, no misuse of declared nuclear facilities, and no undeclared nuclear material or activity in Australia. The Agreement also includes the commitment of the parties to ensure that Australia can provide the IAEA with information and access necessary to fulfil its obligations, while ensuring the protection of classified information related to naval nuclear propulsion.
  7. Australia has provided to the Agency updated declarations under the AP which reflect this development. 
  8. As previously reported, the IAEA recalls that the bilateral consultations underway with Australia on the structure and content of the Article 14 arrangement continue to be guided by the Statute and Australia’s CSA and AP. As part of these consultations, the Agency is discussing with Australia technical aspects and modalities to facilitate possible verification and monitoring activities by the Agency, as well as the implementation of voluntary transparency measures, in relations to Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion programme.
  9. The Director General will continue to keep the Board of Governors informed of further developments, as appropriate.

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Update 244 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) viewed evidence provided to the team today that continues to indicate that Monday’s fire did not start at the base of the cooling tower, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Following its visit to the impact site yesterday, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) team returned today to cooling tower 1. Due to safety reasons, the team observed from ground level as ZNPP staff filmed and photographed the fire damage to the interior of the tower from the water nozzle distribution level, which is approximately 10 meters high. The photographs and video footage were shown immediately to the team.

The ISAMZ team was later provided with copies of the photos and footage which confirm extensive damage to the internal components at the water nozzle distribution level.

“The evidence gathered reinforces our conclusion that the main fire seems unlikely to be at the base of the cooling tower,” Director General Grossi said.

From the photos and footage of the cooling tower’s interior, the team identified debris consistent with a significant fire and observed dark scorch marks across the interior of the concrete walls rising from the water nozzle distribution level. No foreign objects or materials were visible.

The ZNPP has informed the team that the impact of the fire on the structural integrity of cooling tower 1 needs to be assessed and that there may be a need to dismantle it.

The team has requested access to the second of the two cooling towers at the plant in order to see inside the structure and identify similar materials and specifications which may have been present in cooling tower 1 prior to the fire.

During its walkdown and just after requesting access to cooling tower 2, the ISAMZ team was promptly accompanied back to a secure location due to an air raid alarm.  

“Obtaining access to the water nozzle distribution level would be important for the team to obtain a better understanding of the events and other relevant circumstances. The Agency will continue to request this as part of our role to monitor compliance with the five concrete principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant”, said Director General Grossi.

Update 243 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today visited the plant’s cooling towers to observe the impact of yesterday’s fire.

Following its request to immediately assess the impact of the fire, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) accessed the cooling tower area this morning. Based on the observations, the team assessed that it was unlikely that the primary source of the fire began at the base of the cooling tower, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

During the team’s visit to the cooling tower, it determined that the damage was most likely concentrated on the interior of the tower at the water nozzle distribution level, located at roughly ten metres high. The team has requested access to the water nozzle distribution level. It could observe the bottom of the water nozzle distribution level from the concrete foundation columns. The team could also see down into the cold-water basin, which is the base of the cooling tower, and has requested to access it as well. The team was not permitted to access these two locations during today’s walkdown for safety concerns.

Whilst visiting the impacted cooling tower, the team observed burnt areas in the internal equipment higher up, near the water nozzle distribution level. They also observed droplets of burnt plastic and fragments of fallen concrete distributed across the cold-water basin. The team assessed that these droplets were consistent with melted and fallen plastic mesh from the fire. Samples of the debris, including burnt and molten plastic, were collected. The lingering odour from the fire was assessed by the team and determined that in the absence of a sulphur smell, was more likely caused from burning plastic.

Neither tyre nor drone remains were observed during the walkdown.

The team confirmed that there were no significant signs of disturbance of the debris, ash or soot located at the base of the cooling tower.

The nuclear safety of the plant was not affected, as the cooling towers are not currently in operation. The cooling towers are not required as part of the cooling mechanism for the reactors, which are all in a state of cold shutdown.  No radioactive material is present in the area of the cooling towers, which is located approximately 1.5 kilometres from the reactor units at ZNPP. The team conducted radiation monitoring in the area of the cooling towers and the reactors and confirmed no signs of elevated radiation levels.

To gather additional information and verify the authenticity of the evidence, the ISAMZ team has requested to accompany ZNPP staff when they photograph the upper part of the water nozzle distribution level.

The team has not been able to draw definitive conclusions on the basis of the findings and observations so far. The IAEA will continue its overall analysis after additional review and access to the water nozzle distribution level and the cold-water basin.

Update 242 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) witnessed thick dark smoke coming from the north-western area of the plant, after hearing multiple explosions throughout the evening. The team was informed that an alleged drone attack on one of the plant’s cooling towers took place today. There is no impact on nuclear safety, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed.

The IAEA team reported hearing an explosion today at the same time the ZNPP informed them that a drone had allegedly struck one of the plant’s two cooling towers.

In order to ascertain the extent and possible cause of this event, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) is requesting immediate access to the cooling tower to assess the damage.

ZNPP has two cooling towers located at the northern side of the cooling pond, outside of the ZNPP perimeter. Cooling towers are used during power operation of the plant. Their damage does not directly impact the safety of the six units in shutdown. However, any kind of fire on the site or in its vicinity represents a risk of spreading the fire also to facilities essential for safety.

The plant confirmed to the team that there is no risk of elevated radiation levels as there is no radioactive material in the vicinity of the alleged attack area. The team independently verified the radiation levels and confirmed it remained unchanged.

IAEA Director General Grossi reiterated that any military action taken against the plant represents a clear violation of the five concrete principles for protecting the facility, which were established at the United Nations Security Council in May last year.

“These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now,” said Director General Grossi.

Update 241 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The occurrence of intense fires near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to add to the growing challenges facing Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP), IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

On several occasions over the past week, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) observed several fires at various distances from the ZNPP and nearby villages. Over the weekend, the IAEA experts observed smoke coming from an area to the north of the ZNPP near the ZTPP inlet channel. The plant confirmed that the fire was underneath the overhead cables of the Dniprovska 750 kilovolt (kV) line and the Ferosplavna 1 330 kV back-up power line – the last two remaining external power lines for the ZNPP.

As the summer heat continues, such fires along the pathways of the two remaining lines place the ZNPP at risk of loss of external power. While there was no disconnection of either line on this occasion, the situation highlighted the fragility of off-site power at the ZNPP.

“The off-site power supply to the ZNPP remains vulnerable, and any threat to the operability of the last two power lines is extremely concerning,” said Director General Grossi. “Despite all reactors remaining in a cold shutdown state, the reliability of off-site power is still a major risk to nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP and action must be taken to protect these remaining lines.”

This most recent event follows fires that occurred over the past few months. In early July the IAEA experts observed thick smoke and heard explosions coming from near the plant’s 750 kilovolt (kV) switchyard which had allegedly been caused by drones hitting an adjacent forest, starting fires in windy conditions. Previously in late May, the IAEA team also reported a wildfire south of the same switchyard. During a walkdown to the 750 kV switchyard last week, the IAEA experts observed burned bushes and trees in the area outside the switchyard’s perimeter and reported that there was no other impact from these fires.

This week, a new rotation of experts crossed the frontline to replace colleagues who have been stationed there for the past several weeks. This marks the 22nd IAEA team at the site since Director General Grossi established the mission on 1 September 2022. The IAEA teams continue to hear explosions at various distances from the site.

On Sunday, staff at the ZTPP were allegedly unable to go outside to start the pump that transfers water from the ZTPP inlet channel to the ZTPP discharge channel for some time due to the risk of shelling. The transfer is important as it then provides a supply of water to the sprinkler ponds and other areas. ISAMZ was informed that the pump was later turned back on and there was no impact to nuclear safety at the ZNPP.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that all four diesel steam generators commissioned in January 2024 to provide the steam required by the ZNPP to process liquid radioactive waste have been put into operation. The ZNPP reported that approximately 1000 cubic metres of accumulated radioactive waste water will be processed over the next 10 to 12 days.

The IAEA experts also continue to monitor crucial maintenance activities across the site. On Friday, the safety train of unit 1 and its emergency diesel generator were placed back into standby mode following the completion of planned maintenance. Maintenance work continues on the safety systems of unit 6, and also on the main transformer of unit 3. Additionally, one of the breakers for the automatic transformer, which connects the ZNPP 750 kV switchyard to the ZTPP 330 kV switchyard, was placed under maintenance.

Last week, the IAEA experts assessed the status of several of the site’s 20 emergency diesel generators (EDGs), which serve as the last line of defence in the event of a loss of off-site power at the ZNPP. The IAEA team observed that the EDG for a safety train in unit 5 was started safely during scheduled testing. During a visit to the offsite diesel fuel storage last week, the team was informed by the ZNPP that the reduced storage of diesel fuel is due to upcoming planned maintenance of the storage tanks.

During their regular walkdowns to monitor nuclear safety and security, the IAEA team visited the Dry Spent Fuel Storage Facility and the offsite ZNPP Central Warehouse. They also met with representatives of the ZNPP safety analysis service, who informed them that the focus of the group’s work is on decay heat calculation analysis, given that all reactors are in cold shutdown.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA experts present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site reported continued air raid alarms due to ongoing military activity in the regions on several days over the past week. On Friday, the IAEA experts at the Chornobyl NPP successfully rotated with the new team.

The teams at the Khmelnytskyy and Rivne NPPs reported that the operation of these plants continued to be affected by the impacts of the armed conflict on the electrical infrastructure of Ukraine. The IAEA teams were informed that the power levels of some reactor units were temporarily lowered due to grid limitations.

“The vulnerability of the electricity infrastructure across the country remains very concerning. It is essential that the electricity network across all of Ukraine remains stable to help maintain nuclear safety at all nuclear power plants,” Director General Grossi said.

Separately this week, as part of the IAEA’s efforts to support Ukraine in maintaining nuclear safety and security during the armed conflict, the Agency arranged its 57th delivery of nuclear safety and security related equipment. The delivery consisted of IT equipment for the radiation monitoring network and analytical laboratories of hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The delivery was supported with funding from Sweden.

Tritium Level in Eighth Batch of ALPS Treated Water Far Below Japan’s Operational Limit, IAEA Confirms

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The tritium concentration in the eighth batch of diluted ALPS treated water, which the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began discharging today, is far below Japan’s operational limit, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have confirmed.

IAEA experts stationed at the Agency’s office at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) sampled the treated water and conducted an independent on-site analysis. The IAEA confirmed that the tritium concentration in the diluted water is far below the operational limit of 1500 becquerels per litre and is in line with international safety standards.

Japan plans to continue releasing the ALPS-treated water from FDNPS over the next decades in a series of batches, following the start of the discharge in August last year. The IAEA has earlier confirmed that the tritium concentrations in the previous seven batches, totalling approximately 54 700 cubic meters of water, were also far below operational limits.

In a comprehensive report issued on 4 July 2023, the IAEA’s safety review found that Japan’s plan for handling the treated water was consistent with international safety standards and that the release as planned would have a negligible radiological impact to people and the environment.

Last month, the IAEA Task Force established to review the safety of the water discharge plan said in a new report that the discharge has continued to comply with international safety standards.

All reports on sampling, independent analysis, data evaluation, as well as timeline, are available on the IAEA website.

IAEA Completes International Physical Protection Advisory Service Mission in Japan

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IPPAS team visit the Mihama Nuclear Power Station in Fukui prefecture in Japan. (Mihama Nuclear Power Station)

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a two-week International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Japan. The mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Japan, took place from 22 July to 2 August 2024.

Hosted by the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA), the ten-person mission team reviewed Japan’s nuclear security regime for nuclear material and nuclear facilities, security of radioactive material, associated facilities, and activities, as well as computer security. As part of the review, the IPPAS team visited the Mihama Nuclear Power Station in Fukui prefecture, operated by the Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO).

This mission was the third IPPAS mission to Japan, following a previous mission in 2015 and its follow-up mission in 2018. During the 2018 mission, the team visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station (KKNPS) in Niigata Prefecture. The actions taken since that 2018 mission with regard to physical protection measures at the KKNPS were part of the latest mission agenda.

Japan acceded the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) in 2014. This Amendment significantly enhances the original CPPNM by broadening its scope and establishing obligations for Parties to ensure the physical protection of all nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes, whether in domestic use, storage, or transport.

The IPPAS team, led by Joseph Sandoval of Sandia National Laboratories in the United States, included experts from Canada, Belgium, Hungary, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the USA, as well as one IAEA staff member. The team held discussions with officials from the NRA, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the National Police Agency (NPA), the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), KEPCO and TEPCO.

At the end of the mission, the team commended Japan for its robust nuclear security regime. They provided recommendations and suggestions to help Japan further enhance its nuclear security procedures and practices. Additionally, the team identified several good practices that could serve as valuable examples for other IAEA Member States, contributing to long-term improvements in global nuclear security.

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security, underscored the cooperation of Japanese authorities with the experts’ team. “A third IPPAS mission within nine years indicates Japan’s willingness to enhance national nuclear security, as well as country’s commitment to global nuclear security. This commitment is also reflected in the country’s support for the IAEA’s nuclear security programme,” she said.

Shinsuke Yamanaka, Chairman of the NRA expressed thanks to the mission team for their diligent work on the review over a period of two weeks. “The recommendations and suggestions provided through the IPPAS mission need to be fully taken into account, scrutinised and acted upon,” he said. “We believe that the results of the IPPAS mission review will be very useful in enhancing and strengthening Japan’s nuclear security regime. Based on the IPPAS mission’s review results, Japan will continue to improve its nuclear security measures in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies.”

Background

The mission was the 104th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.

IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.

During missions, a team of international experts observes a nation’s system of physical protection, compares it with international good practices and makes recommendations for improvement. IPPAS missions are conducted both on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.

Update 240 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The water level in the cooling pond at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to decrease. Despite all reactors remaining in a state of cold-shutdown, availability of this water is important for nuclear safety of the plant, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

Over the past weeks, IAEA experts at the plant have observed a continuous decrease in the water level of the plant’s cooling pond. If this trend continues, ZNPP staff confirmed that it will soon become challenging to pump water from the pond. Maintaining the level of the pond is made more difficult by the hot summer weather.

Following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam last year, the ZNPP dug 11 groundwater wells to provide approximately 250 cubic meters of cooling water per hour to the sprinkler ponds. These ponds supply sufficient water to cool all six reactor units in their current cold shutdown state. During a site walkdown last week, the IAEA team observed that the sprinkler ponds are functioning well, with water at nominal levels. Any compromise to the availability of water to the sprinkler ponds might necessitate using the cooling pond as a backup source.

“The dwindling water levels in the cooling pond remains a potential source of concern, and we will continue to closely monitor and observe the situation at the site to ensure the availability of a sufficient supply of cooling water for the plant’s needs at all times,” Director General Grossi said.

The IAEA experts also continue to monitor vital maintenance activities across the site over the past week. They were informed that the majority of the maintenance work at the plant is being performed by contractors. The team observed tests of the emergency diesel generator for a safety train of unit 6, from both the emergency diesel generator room and the emergency control room. Similarly, they observed the emergency diesel generator testing for a safety train of unit 5 from the both the emergency diesel generator room and the main control room. No issues related to nuclear safety and security were noted during these tests.

Additional walkdowns were carried out across the ZNPP site to monitor nuclear safety and security. The team also noted that the three main fuel tanks at the diesel fuel farm can only be filled to a maximum of 90% of their capacity and that maintenance is planned on the tanks.

On Wednesday, the team visited the 750 kilovolt (kV) switchyard and did not observe any new issues with respect to safety and security. Also, last week the team conducted a series of walkdowns and discussions on the topic of the safety and security of radioactive sources.

During a walkdown of the reactor hall and safety system rooms of unit 5, the team observed the switching of the spent fuel pool pump and confirmed that both the pumps and safety system rooms were in good condition.

The IAEA team continues to hear military activity at varying distances from the plant. The team also observed smoke in the distance multiple times in the past week, which the ZNPP reported was caused by fires.

The IAEA experts present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported air raid alarms on several days over the past week but confirmed that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict. Separately during the last weeks, the Agency continued delivering its comprehensive assistance programme in Ukraine by supporting in various areas. As part of the medical assistance program, an ultrasound system was provided to the local hospital near to the South Ukraine NPP, ensuring that personnel operating the plant have access to the necessary medical services for maintaining their fitness for duty.

Additionally, four remote workshops were conducted focusing on mental health. These sessions trained supervisors, managers, and mental health teams from all Ukrainian nuclear facilities to recognize signs of distress, offer peer and psychological support to colleagues dealing with trauma or stress, and effectively plan and manage mental health support initiatives.

The delivery of the equipment and workshops have been supported by the United Kingdom and the United States.

Update 239-IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains highly challenging during the military conflict, including efforts to ensure adequate maintenance of key safety systems and other vital equipment, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

Over the past week, the IAEA experts stationed at the ZNPP have conducted several walkdowns focused on monitoring maintenance activities across the site, as well as the availability of necessary spare parts for the plant.

“These are areas which are of vital importance for sustainable nuclear safety and security, even though they are often overshadowed by more urgent difficulties, including the extremely vulnerable off-site power situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant,” Director General Grossi said.

“At all nuclear power plants around the world, maintenance is essential to prevent the degradation of reactor structures, systems, and components. This has been an especially difficult task to implement during the war. But if not conducted regularly and comprehensively, it could further increase the risk of a nuclear accident in the future. We are continuing to follow this issue very closely,” he said.

In recent days, the IAEA team observed ongoing maintenance of the components of the main electrical transformer of reactor unit 3, which were being disassembled for servicing. Once the maintenance is completed, tests will be performed to ensure the operability of the transformer prior to it returning to operation.

The IAEA experts also monitored planned maintenance activities in the reactor hall and the nuclear auxiliary building of unit 6, including the refuelling machine crane and the heat exchangers. The team was also able to observe the maintenance of some electrical as well as instrumentation and control equipment. They did not report any issues related to nuclear safety or security related to the observed maintenance activities. When visiting the same unit’s turbine hall, the team was once again not granted access to its western part.

In other areas of relevance for nuclear safety and security, the IAEA team observed emergency diesel generator (EDG) testing at unit 4, which was performed within the established nuclear safety criteria.

While visiting the ZNPP’s training centre to observe activities there, the IAEA team noted that the centre is also providing training for specialists performing metal integrity inspections at the ZNPP, using ultrasonic equipment. The centre plans to expand its capabilities to include training on the use of industrial radiography for the non-destructive testing (NDT) of metal integrity.

Over the past week, the IAEA experts have continued to hear explosions and gunfire at various distances from the site.

Following a series of outages earlier this month that also affected the availability of water, power has been restored in the nearby city of Enerhodar, where most ZNPP staff live. At the ZNPP site, the IAEA experts have had more regular access to tap water this week, following shortages last week.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA experts present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict. The teams continued to report air raid alarms heard from the sites.

One of the three reactor units at the South Ukraine NPP has completed its planned maintenance and refuelling activities and was successfully restarted, while a planned outage at another unit is nearing completion.

Last week, the IAEA team at the South Ukraine NPP reported that its unit 2 was temporarily shut down following the actuation of electrical protections due to a transformer problem in the 330 kV open switchyard, located outside the NPP site. As a result of a short circuit, there was damage to the ceramic insulator, causing an oil leak that caught fire due to an electric arc. After the electrical connection was restored, the reactor was restarted and commenced supplying electricity to the grid after about 17 hours, reaching full power just over 24 hours after the shutdown.

The IAEA teams at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs rotated late last week and the Khmelnytskyy NPP team rotated on Wednesday.