**Restarting Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Not Possible at Present**
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear safety watchdog has stated that conditions for restarting Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant do not currently exist. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), made this announcement in an interview with Reuters in Kyiv.
According to Grossi, the main reason for not being able to restart the plant is a lack of water for cooling and the absence of a stable power supply. He explained that water would have to be pumped from the Dnipro River for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to operate, which is currently shut down.
The Zaporizhzhia facility has been occupied by Russia since March 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Grossi stated that while Russia wants to restart the plant, it would not be able to do so soon. He emphasized that the plant’s machinery has not been operating for three years and would need to be thoroughly inspected before any restart.
**Certification Concerns**
Ukraine has expressed concerns about Russian technicians attempting to restart the plant, citing their lack of certification to operate the Zaporizhzhia facility. Grossi countered this by saying that Russian nuclear staff are capable of conducting a restart and that the issue of certification is more political than technical.
However, Ukraine has also protested against the IAEA’s monitoring mission accessing the plant via Russian-occupied territory. Grossi explained that this was done to protect the safety of his staff, as he does not have necessary guarantees from the Russian side to safely transit IAEA staff through the frontlines to Ukraine-controlled territory.
**Commentary and Analysis**
The inability to restart the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The plant’s shutdown has raised concerns about the potential for accidents or even terrorist attacks on the facility, which could have devastating consequences for the surrounding area and the environment.
Grossi’s statements also highlight the complexities of the situation in Ukraine, where the occupation by Russian forces has created a web of technical, political, and safety issues that need to be addressed. The IAEA’s monitoring mission plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities like Zaporizhzhia.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, the restart of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is not possible at present due to a lack of water for cooling and the absence of a stable power supply. While Russia wants to restart the plant, it would take time to address the technical issues involved. The IAEA’s monitoring mission continues to play an essential role in ensuring the safe operation of the facility.
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