Zaporizhzhia NPP Faces Cooling and Fire Hazards

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported growing challenges in maintaining a stable water supply for cooling the reactors at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

This information was published on the IAEA’s official website, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Over the past two weeks, the IAEA staff at the ZNPP have continued to monitor the site's cooling water systems. The ZNPP’s six reactors have been in cold shutdown since spring 2024 but still require cooling water for their safety systems, reactor cores, and spent fuel pools. The ZNPP’s external power situation remains vulnerable, with the plant having lost the connection to its last remaining 330 kV back-up power line on 7 May, leaving it dependent on its sole 750 kV line,” the statement said.

As noted, the team received technical updates on water distribution across the site, including how water is fed to its nuclear safety and support systems.

“The team noted the increasing challenges of ensuring a reliable cooling water supply for the six reactors and their safety systems in their cold shutdown state, especially under current hot weather conditions, when the evaporation rate is high,” the statement said.

Additionally, the IAEA team at the Zaporizhzhia ZNPP on August 12 observed smoke while in the plant’s administrative building where its office is located, following reports of fire near the cooling towers. During a walkdown later, the team observed burnt trees close to the cooling towers.

The IAEA team has been informed of multiple instances of shelling in the industrial zone next to the plant over the past week. “The shelling was reported to have occurred close to the ZNPP, approximately 1.2 kilometres away from the site perimeter. While it did not have any direct impact on nuclear safety of the plant, the IAEA team at the ZNPP continue to hear military activities every day,” the statement said.

As earlier reported, IAEA personnel stationed at the Zaporizhzhia NPP observed smoke rising from the facility’s administrative building on August 12. The incident did not result in elevated radiation levels.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy also reported smoke in the cargo port area at the temporarily occupied ZNPP. This port lies outside the plant’s protected perimeter.

Subsequently, Energoatom confirmed that dry reeds were burning near the Kakhovka Reservoir—destroyed earlier by Russian forces—close to the power units of the occupied plant.

Authorities noted that fires at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia NPP have become a recurring issue.

On August 11, 2024, cooling tower No. 1—part of the Zaporizhzhia NPP’s technical water supply system—was completely destroyed by fire. On July 19, 2025, smoke from a nearby forest fire was detected in the vicinity of the ZNPP