The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday that Ukraine’s Zaporijia nuclear power plant continues to use water from the Kakhovka dam for cooling, despite infrastructure destruction and falling water levels.
The reservoir has dropped just over four meters since the dam was destroyed on Tuesday, and now stands at 12.7 meters, a level beyond which it was estimated the plant would be unable to pump water to cool the six complex reactors.
Based on the new estimates, “pumping is likely to continue even if the level falls to around 11 meters or possibly lower,” an IAEA statement said.
The plant is now closed, but the six reactors and spent fuel still require water to cool, preventing a potential release of radioactive material.
While the global nuclear situation remains precarious and potentially dangerous, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said this buys a little more time before the possible transition to alternative supplies.
“In these difficult circumstances, this provides a bit more time before the possible transition to alternative sources of water, including the cooling reservoir next to the plant, as well as its small adjacent spray cooling tanks, canals and wells, which can provide the necessary cooling water for the plant for several months,” says Grossi.
The official also stressed that the extent of the damage to the dam is still unknown, nor when or at what level the reservoir will stabilize.
The nuclear power plant increased all its cooling water reserves for the reactors, given the lowering of the dam level.
Grossi says that the level of the reservoir is falling at an average of four to three centimeters per hour.
An IAEA team, headed by the Argentine diplomat, will travel to Zaporizhia next week to assess the situation on the ground.
Source: TSF
