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Source: The post is based on the article “The risks of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant(NPP)” published in The Hindu on 6th July 2023
What is the News?
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has been a focus of concern since Russian forces took control over it.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other over shelling near the plant that caused power outages.
A major concern is the working conditions of the 3,000 or so people at the plant, most of whom have refused to sign new employment contracts with their Russian employers.
What is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant?
Source: BBC
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world.
The plant is located in south-east Ukraine in Enerhodar on the banks of the Kakhovka reservoir on the Dnieper River.
It is one of the four operating NPPs in the country and has been operating since 1984.
It accounts for about 40% of the total electricity generated by all the Ukrainian NPPs and one-fifth of Ukraine’s annual electricity production.
How is Zaporizhzhia NPP different from the Chernobyl power plant?
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is not similar to Chernobyl-type reactors.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are pressurized water reactors. The reactors are housed in thick steel reinforced concrete containment units which are built to withstand extreme explosions, such as an aircraft crash.
