Transformer fault causes temporary shutdown of South Ukraine NPP reactor
One of the reactors at the 1,000 MW South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was temporarily shut down after electrical protection tripped due to a transformer problem at an open 330 kV switchgear located outside the plant, the IAEA reported on July 26.
"As a result of a short circuit, there was damage to the ceramic insulator, causing an oil leak that caught fire due to an electric arc," said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The reactor was restarted after the power connection was restored, supplying electricity to the grid about 17 hours later and reaching full capacity just over 24 hours after the shutdown.
A planned outage at another unit of the plant is nearing completion, the agency added.
Since March 22, 2024, Russia has carried out eight missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s power system. Due to this damage, Ukrainian power plants cannot produce as much electricity as before, Ukrenergo reported.
Restrictions on electricity consumption have been in place in Ukraine since May 14.
Ukrenergo stated on May 20 that all major thermal and hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine had been damaged by Russian strikes.
The company urged consumers to shift the use of powerful electrical appliances to daytime hours, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Russia has destroyed 50% of Ukraine's electricity generation capacity, and 73% of large thermal power plants are out of service due to heavy damage and destruction.
Energy Minister German Halushchenko indicated that the situation is much worse than in 2022-2023.
Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo, said in early July that the electricity situation will improve in August after scheduled repairs of Ukrainian NPPs and changes in weather conditions.
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