VIENNA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Technical work started on Saturday to restore off-site power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), after weeks of power loss triggered concerns about the nuclear safety situation at the site, according to a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On Saturday morning, following de-mining activities, work started to repair two cables of the 330 kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line, which was disconnected from the ZNPP on May 7.
Russia and Ukraine have both agreed to an IAEA proposal to establish temporary ceasefire zones around two specific locations on opposite sides of the frontline, after weeks of complex negotiations, the statement said. This enabled their respective expert teams to repair the power lines that were recently damaged during the military conflict.
Later this weekend, repairs will begin on the damaged section of the 750 kV Dniprovska line, which was disconnected on Sept. 23, causing the ZNPP's complete loss of off-site power.
The two locations are both situated several kilometres from the ZNPP, the statement said. The repairs are expected to last about a week.
"Both sides have engaged constructively with us to make this happen. There is a general understanding that the current situation benefits absolutely no one," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in the statement. ■