Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant disconnected from power grid: Ukraine's energy operator

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW (AA) - The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was disconnected from the electricity grid for the first time, the state energy operator said on Thursday.

The Energoatom nuclear company said the plant was disconnected after fire damaged power lines connecting it to the grid.

Pro-Russian authorities in Energodar, where the power plant is located, said the security system was activated at the plant because of a power outage following conflicts in the region.

- Europe's largest nuclear power plant

The Zaporizhzhia plant in southeast Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

The plant, which has six nuclear reactors and an electricity generation capacity of 5,700 megawatt-hours, provides 20% of the total electricity in Ukraine.

It was captured March 4 by Russia. Artillery attacks are taking place around the power plant, which is currently under the control of the Russian army.

Ukraine and Russia have traded other for the attacks.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan