The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been cut off from the electrical grid for the first time after its last power line was damaged, according to the country’s nuclear power operator.
It was not clear if the plant had been reconnected to the grid.
The loss of power to the plant is a major concern since a disruption of electricity supply could knock out cooling systems that are essential for the safe operation of the reactors, and emergency diesel generators are sometimes unreliable.
Energoatom said in a statement Thursday that the cutoff mean two remaining reactors at Europe's biggest nuclear power plant were disconnected from the grid.
Power is still being supplied by Ukraine's energy system through a final power line between the plant and the coal power station.
The vast nuclear power plant supplied more than 20% of Ukraine's electricity needs and its loss would pile new strain on the government, which is already bracing for a difficult wartime winter of potentially crippling energy shortages.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February, captured the Zaporizhzhia plant in March and has controlled it since, although it continues to be operated by Ukrainian technicians from Energoatom.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the site, fuelling international fears of the potential for a disastrous nuclear accident.
That has prompted calls for an urgent mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the site.
Officials from the U.N. nuclear watchdog are "very, very close" to being able to visit Zaporozhzhia, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Thursday.
