Nine Ukrainian NPP units connected to grid - IAEA
MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax) - Nine of Ukraine's 15 nuclear power plant units are currently connected to the grid, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
They include three at the Zaporizhzya NPP, two at the Rivne NPP, two at the South Ukraine NPP, and two at the Khmelnytskyy NPP. The other reactors are shut down for regular maintenance or held in reserve. "Safety systems remain operational at the four NPPs, and they also continue to have off-site power available," Ukrainian media report, quoting an IAEA statement.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Ukraine had received a large batch of vital radiation protection and monitoring equipment offered by Australia and France this week. "This was the first shipment organized through the IAEA's Response and Assistance Network (RANET), where countries can register their capabilities for support in areas ranging from radiation dose assessments and decontamination to nuclear installation assessment and advice, radioactive source search and recovery, and much else," he said.
"Despite significant logistical and other hurdles, the equipment has now arrived in Ukraine where it will be put to good use by our Ukrainian counterparts," Grossi said.
This week's shipment consisted of more than 160 dosimeters and monitors that are important for safety and radiation protection as well as hundreds of items of personal protective equipment, including full body suits, masks and disposable gloves and covers.
"More safety and security-related equipment will be transported to Ukraine in the coming months, thanks to substantial support from countries offering equipment and others providing extra-budgetary contributions for our assistance. The needs are large, and I encourage other countries to also step forward with support for our crucial work in Ukraine," Grossi said.
He again stressed the importance of the IAEA being able to travel to the Zaporizhzya NPP to conduct essential safety, security and safeguards activities at Ukraine's largest NPP. Grossi said that in official communications this week, Ukraine informed the IAEA about the "extremely difficult" situation at the ZNPP.