The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Friday to allow for repairs to the emergency power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

“The IAEA secured an agreement with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine to implement a localized ceasefire, allowing repairs to begin on the last remaining backup power line to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP),” the Director General of the global nuclear watchdog stated in a press release.

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On January 3, the plant’s maintenance service reported that the ZNPP’s Ferrosplavnaya-1 high-voltage power supply line had been disconnected due to the activation of its protective systems.

The IAEA had begun consultations with Moscow and Kyiv regarding the establishment of a temporary ceasefire zone in the area where the disconnection occurred.

The agency reported that specialists from the Ukrainian power grid operator would begin repairs on the 330-kilowatt (kW) line, “damaged and disconnected as a result of military activity on January 2.”

“The disconnection has left Europe’s largest nuclear power plant dependent on its only main power line, a 750-kW line.” “kW in operation,” the IAEA noted, adding that its team will travel to the Zaporizhzhia region to closely monitor the repair work.

This “temporary ceasefire, the fourth we have agreed upon, demonstrates the indispensable role we continue to play,” the international agency said.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, is located near the city of Energodar and has six VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors, with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts.

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