Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Reconnected to Grid After IAEA-Brokered Ceasefire

Key facts

• The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been reconnected to Ukraine's external power grid.
• The reconnection occurred on June 13 at 2:30 p.m. local time via a 330 kV high-voltage overhead transmission line.
• The plant experienced a total grid isolation for 65 hours, relying on emergency diesel generators.
• This marks the 19th complete blackout at the ZNPP since its occupation by Russian forces and the seventh in 2026.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) facilitated repairs under a localized ceasefire.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been reconnected to Ukraine's external power grid after a 65-hour period of complete isolation, during which it relied on emergency diesel generators. External electricity was restored on Saturday, June 13 at 2:30 p.m. local time via a 330 kV high-voltage overhead transmission line, according to Ukraine's state nuclear operator, Energoatom.

The facility had lost off-site power on June 10 following the shutdown of the ZaTES – Ferrosplavna No. 1 backup line. This incident marks the 19th complete blackout at the ZNPP since its occupation by Russian forces in 2022 and the seventh grid failure recorded in 2026 alone. Energoatom has repeatedly warned that each loss of off-site power places the plant on the verge of a severe radiological accident, as electricity is required to cool the reactors and spent fuel pools, even when in a cold shutdown state.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) brokered a localized, temporary ceasefire on June 5 to allow engineers to conduct repairs. This recent crisis follows a similar emergency just one week prior, which began on June 3 when a drone strike disrupted power to the Nikopolska substation. The IAEA has criticized the ongoing militarization of the area surrounding the plant, deeming reliance on diesel generators as a routine safety measure unsustainable and dangerous.