Explosions near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant rekindle security concerns

Explosions were heard near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, still under Russian military control, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the site and the Ukrainian energy sector.

Share:

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) deployed at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant reported hearing several explosions and observing thick smoke near the site, which has been under Russian military control for more than three years. Plant operators informed IAEA staff that an auxiliary facility, located approximately 1,200 metres from the main site perimeter, had been hit by artillery fire and drone strikes.

Increased risks for nuclear safety

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is located in close proximity to the frontline separating Russian and Ukrainian forces. According to the IAEA, military activity frequently takes place at varying distances from the nuclear complex, regularly exposing the site to direct security risks. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated that any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant poses a potential danger to nuclear safety, regardless of the intended target.

Personnel on the ground reported that smoke was still visible several hours after the incident, highlighting the persistent threats to the secure operation of the plant. Zaporizhzhia’s reliance on a single external power line to maintain essential functions is also a source of concern, as the site had ten such lines before the conflict began. If this power line is lost, the plant must rely on backup diesel generators to keep safety systems running.

Continuous IAEA presence and regional impacts

The IAEA has maintained teams of experts at the site since September 2022, who have reported regular military activity nearby. Other Ukrainian nuclear power plants, including Khmelnitsky, Rivne, and South Ukraine, as well as the Chernobyl site, have also reported frequent air raid sirens and drone detections in their immediate surroundings in recent weeks.

The Ukrainian nuclear sector remains exposed to heightened disruption risks, as the security of critical energy infrastructure remains a central concern. “Any incident around a nuclear power plant must be avoided to reduce the risk of an accident,” Rafael Mariano Grossi stated in a press release.

Tanzania, together with Russia, is starting construction of a uranium plant in Namtumbo for $1.2bn, aiming to boost mining revenues and secure a place in the global nuclear industry.
South Korea forecasts 2.4% annual growth in nuclear generation, with 29 operational reactors by 2035 and export ambitions for the sector.
TEPCO reports a significant net loss due to nuclear compensation charges and debris removal preparations, while its revenues decline over the period.
Rolls-Royce SMR has entered into cooperation agreements with Škoda JS and Curtiss-Wright to accelerate the manufacturing of essential components and the supply of safety systems as part of its international development of modular reactors.
The Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor will not reach full power until before the end of autumn, postponing the initially scheduled date due to preventive maintenance operations on the primary circuit valves.
French group Orano returns to profitability in the first half of the year, supported by strong plant performance and stabilisation of international activities, notably after resolving the situation in Niger.
Hunatom announces a strategic alliance with Synthos Green Energy to introduce US small modular reactor technology, strengthening energy ties between Hungary, Poland and the United States.
A joint feasibility study project on Korean i-SMR modular reactors has just been launched for a future nuclear site at the border of the Aure and Heim municipalities, aiming for significant regional industrial impact.
Unit 3 of the Tomari nuclear power plant takes a major step towards restart after its safety equipment was validated by the Japanese regulator.
The Russian Minister of Energy announces strengthened cooperation in uranium and civil nuclear energy in Niger, reinforcing Russia's economic presence in a key sector following the withdrawal of several Western players.
Last Energy reaches a key regulatory step for its PWR-20 microreactor project in Llynfi, advancing towards the objective of securing a site licence by December 2027 from British authorities.
Slovenské elektrárne has signed an agreement with Urenco for the purchase of enriched uranium for the Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants, strengthening the diversification of its supply sources until the mid-2030s.
First Hydrogen expands its collaboration with the University of Alberta to optimise small modular nuclear reactor design and support green hydrogen development amid the growth of artificial intelligence data centres.
The French and Belgian energy ministers have signed a declaration of intent to strengthen ties between Paris and Brussels on nuclear energy, as Belgium has abandoned its 2003 nuclear phase-out plan.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorised the restart of the Palisades power plant, marking a key milestone for Holtec in reintegrating this reactor into the US energy mix. —
The Genkai nuclear power plant detected the intrusion of three unidentified drones, prompting an immediate investigation by Japanese authorities into this unusual incident with potential national security implications.
KATCO, a joint venture between Orano and Kazatomprom, has started operations at the South Tortkuduk site, backed by a $190mn investment, targeting a production capacity of 4,000 tonnes per year by 2026.
Tehran agrees to host experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency in the coming weeks, excluding any visit to sensitive sites as diplomatic tensions persist with European nations and the United States.
Standard Uranium announces the results of a high-resolution electromagnetic survey at the Corvo project, confirming 29 kilometres of conductive corridors and launching the planning of an inaugural drilling programme for 2026.
NANO Nuclear Energy assembles and tests its annular induction pump prototype, marking progress for its microreactor programmes and paving the way for potential commercialisation of the technology.