Zaporizhzhia plant’s pond falls to 12.27 metres as diesel reserves run low
Ukraine’s military intelligence says the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant’s cooling pond stood at 12.27 metres on 12 October, below the 15 metres it says the facility needs. All six reactors are in cold shutdown, but the plant still needs cooling and backup power; HUR says diesel stocks are minimal and managers are considering reducing the number of generators kept on automatic standby.
Bottom line — HUR says a prolonged blackout would require about 150 tonnes of diesel a day, which the occupation administration cannot supply.
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HUR says the pond level fell from 12.86 metres in July to 12.27 metres on 12 October.
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The IAEA reported on 16 October that depleted diesel reserves could make nuclear safety concerns acute in winter, according to Euromaidan Press.
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HUR says the Kremlin rejected Ukraine’s proposal to supply external power through the Dniprovska line and Ferosplavna-1 substation.
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The IAEA said only four of the plant’s 20 emergency generators would start automatically in a blackout, Euromaidan Press reported.
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HUR puts the current workforce at about 5,000, down from roughly 11,000 before the full-scale invasion; 1,450 staff were on site.
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HUR says occupation authorities are considering covert diesel deliveries, including low-quality fuel, without informing the IAEA.