Grossi to monitor compliance with Zaporozhye NPP protection principles next week - IAEA

BERLIN. June 8 (Interfax) - Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi will assess the damage to the infrastructure of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant , as well compliance with the basic principles for protecting the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant during a visit to the plant scheduled for next week, the IAEA said in a statement.

"Director General Grossi will travel to the Zaporozhye NPP next week to assess the situation there following the damage to the dam and to monitor compliance with the five basic principles for protecting the ZNPP that he presented to the United Nations Security Council on May 30," it said.

Grossi plans to boost the IAEA's presence at the site, replacing the current team with a larger group, the agency said.

"Now more than ever, the IAEA's reinforced presence at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is of vital importance to help prevent the danger of a nuclear accident and its potential consequences for the people and the environment," the IAEA quoted Grossi as saying.

At the Zaporozhye NPP, "work is ongoing [...] to ensure it has maximum amounts of cooling water in reserve, in case it can no longer access the nearby Kakhovka reservoir," it said.

If the water level falls below 12.7 meters, the Zaporozhye NPP will no longer be able to take water from the reservoir, it said.

"If the current drop rate were to continue, however, the 12.7 meter level could be reached within the next two days," the agency said.

"Even though the Zaporozhye NPP's six reactors are all in shutdown mode, they still require cooling water to prevent fuel melt and a possible release of radioactive material," Grossi said.

"This is critical so the plant has sufficient water to provide essential cooling to the site for the months ahead," he said.