IAEA arranges local ceasefire to allow repairs to Zaporizhzhia powerlines
IAEA arranged a temporary ceasefire so crews can de-mine and repair transmission lines and attempt to restore external power to Zaporizhzhia.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it has negotiated a local ceasefire in Ukraine to enable repairs to the transmission lines that supply external power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The agreement, the IAEA said, came into force at midnight last night and is expected to last four days. Its purpose is to allow teams to clear mines and begin restoration work on the damaged powerlines.
Technicians to start work after demining
Ukrainian technicians will begin repairs during the day once the area has been demined, the IAEA added. The operation is intended to reconnect the plant to the grid and end its dependence on emergency diesel generators.
The plant, held by Russian forces, has been without external power since 20 August and has been relying on diesel generators to keep critical safety systems cooled.
The IAEA warned of a fuel risk at the site: "The plant has low stocks of diesel fuel and faces a possible power loss within a few days, unless power is restored or if more diesel is transported to the site."
Repairing the transmission lines is seen as urgent to reduce the risk posed by prolonged diesel reliance and to re-establish normal power supplies to the facility.
Photo: press material from the event
