IAEA finds no concerns related to nuclear safety during inspections of ZNPP

BERLIN. March 28 (Interfax) - Representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not find any concerns related to nuclear safety during inspections of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) last week, and they continue to seek access to all facilities on the plant's territory.

"The IAEA team did not observe any concerns related to nuclear safety," the agency said in a release issued on Thursday.

"However, the ZNPP has still not provided timely and appropriate access for the IAEA experts to all areas that are important to nuclear safety and security," it said.

The inspections did not reveal any leaks of liquids or traces of boric acid, the release said. The radiation levels at the ZNPP also remain normal.

"Due to the nature of this facility, [...] we do not currently anticipate a situation that could have any implications to public safety. [...] We will continue to monitor the situation at the facility," IAEA head Rafael Grossi said.

The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is located in Energodar and has six VVER-1000 reactors, which have a total capacity of six gigawatts. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The plant was taken under Russian forces' control in late February 2022. In October 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant be made federal property. The plant is now run by Rosatom. The plant's facilities have been joined into the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant federal state enterprise. Its operator is the Operating Organization of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant joint stock company, founded by the Rosenergoatom joint stock company (the electricity division of Rosatom).