The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, arrived on Wednesday for his second visit to the nuclear power plant in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region. “He hopes he can relieve his team more easily this time,” says energy professor emeritus Wim Turkenburg.
“Grossi wants to make sure that this time the IAEA teams rescue goes well,” energy expert Turkenburg told BNR Nieuwsradio. “Last time it took a month for the people who were there to be relieved.” IAEA observers who now reside there permanently provide advice, help with maintenance and keep the outside world informed. “Grossi also hopes to learn about the local situation with his visit”.
That situation remains very precarious, according to Turkenburg. “There are six nuclear reactors in the plant. They are turned off, but must be permanently cooled down. Otherwise, a so-called reactor core meltdown can occur. All kinds of radioactive substances would then be released.”
Diesel generators are the last option
“To avoid this, a permanent power supply is needed at the nuclear power plant,” says Turkenburg, “but which is regularly cut off by all acts of war.” So you are left with only one facility and that is those diesel generators. They can run for about ten days, but it’s not a favorable situation. Especially since all kinds of explosions are happening in that area.’
«The diesel generators can work for about ten days, but it is not a favorable situation. ‘
Grossi has long advocated a safety zone around the nuclear power plant, but an agreement on this between Ukraine and Russia has failed to get off the ground.
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Source: BNR
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