Europe’s biggest power plant under threat as expert warns of ‘nuclear accident’

Experts have warned of a “nuclear accident” at Europe’s biggest power plant amid huge safety concerns in Ukraine.

Rafael Grossi, who heads up the International Atomic Energy Agency, posted on X that he was on his way to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine to “help prevent a nuclear accident” after attacks were reported nearby.

Huge safety concerns have been raised at the site, which has been under Russian control since the early stages of Vladimir Putin‘s invasion in 2022.

The facility was seized after a series of intense battles, during which both the nuclear and nearby thermal power stations were captured.

Experts have previously described the situation as “extremely volatile”, with Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), telling NBC earlier this year: “It is the most dangerous situation that we have. It’s my job not to sow panic, but at the same time I have to tell the truth about what is happening.”

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, located in southeastern Ukraine, is a critical facility in the global nuclear energy landscape.

As the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the top ten globally, it boasts a total power output of 5,700 MWe from its six VVER-1000 reactors.

Each reactor generates 950 MWe, making the plant a cornerstone of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Built by the Soviet Union near the city of Enerhodar, the plant sits on the southern shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir along the Dnieper River.

Prior to its capture, the Zaporizhzhia plant was a vital part of Ukraine’s energy grid, generating nearly half of the country’s nuclear-derived electricity and over a fifth of its total electricity.

The first five reactors were activated between 1985 and 1989, with the sixth coming online in 1995. However, since the Russian takeover, the plant’s operations have been significantly scaled down, with most reactors now in a cold shutdown state due to safety concerns.

The station has seen numerous incidents since the occupation, including damage from external shelling, the discovery of mines along its perimeter, and drone attacks.

One such attack in April 2024 targeted surveillance and communication equipment, resulting in three direct hits on reactor containment structures. While no structural damage to critical systems was reported, the incident heightened concerns over the plant’s safety.

More recently, a fire broke out at one of the cooling towers in August 2024, leading to mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine over its cause. Despite these tensions, both sides confirmed that there was no immediate nuclear threat.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been closely monitoring the situation, with regular reports on the plant’s condition. They’ve expressed concern in the past over the presence of mines and the potential for further conflict-related damage.