nuclear-news

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant used water from the destroyed Nova Kakhovka dam. What happens now?

By Felicity Ripper with wires, ABC, 9 June 23

One of the world’s largest nuclear power plants relies on a water reservoir linked to the destroyed Nova Kakhovka dam.

So what does that mean for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant? 

What is the relationship between Nova Kakhovka dam and the Zaporizhzhia plant?

The main line of water used at the plant is pumped out of the reservoir above the dam, and up to the site.

This reservoir is currently draining because the downstream dam has collapsed………………………

But isn’t the plant in shutdown? 

Zaporizhzhia was placed in a cold shutdown in September 2022. 

While it doesn’t need the large amounts of water it would while operating normally, it still needs some supplies for cooling. 

Dwindling water supplies also complicate any future prospects of restarting the power plant. 

Has the plant lost its water supply from the dam reservoir? 

Not yet. 

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said water could still be pumped out for a few days after the dam’s collapse. 

“The rate may reduce as the water lowers,” he said. 

Mr Grossi on Tuesday said that the water in the reservoir was sitting at 16.5m, and once it reached 2.7m it could no longer be pumped out. 

He said while there was no reason for panic, the plant was facing a serious situation. ………………………….. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-09/explainer-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-nova-kakhovka/102454194

June 11, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, Ukraine