Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Europe's largest nuclear plant, occupied by Russian forces since 2022
Location
History & Background
Construction of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) began in 1980 and the first reactor entered service in 1984. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the ninth-largest in the world by capacity. The plant supplied roughly a fifth of Ukraine's electricity before the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
Why It Matters
Since March 2022, ZNPP has been under Russian military occupation while remaining staffed primarily by Ukrainian operators. It is the only nuclear power plant in history to be seized and operated as an active combat zone. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has maintained a permanent monitoring mission at the site since September 2022 and has repeatedly warned of serious safety risks. Most of the reactors are currently in cold shutdown, but the long-term integrity of the cooling and power infrastructure remains a continuing international concern.
Environmental Impact
A radiological release at Zaporizhzhia could affect agricultural land across Ukraine, southern Russia, Belarus, and parts of southeastern Europe. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, which drained the reservoir that supplied ZNPP's cooling water, has forced operators to rely on emergency cooling supplies pumped from the Dnieper River and groundwater—an arrangement that the IAEA considers sustainable in the short term but precarious long term.
In the News & Controversies
The plant has been hit by shelling on multiple occasions since 2022, with both Russia and Ukraine blaming the other. External power lines to the plant have been severed at least eight times, each instance forcing reliance on backup diesel generators. The IAEA has called repeatedly for a demilitarized safety zone around the plant; no agreement has been reached.
Fun Facts
- ZNPP was the second-largest nuclear plant in Europe (after France's Bugey/Tricastin combined) before Ukraine's grid was destabilized.
- The plant is staffed by Ukrainian workers under Russian military supervision—an arrangement without precedent in nuclear history.
- The IAEA mission at Zaporizhzhia (ISAMZ) is the first permanent agency presence at any operating nuclear site during wartime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant operating?▾
No. As of early 2026 most of the reactors are in cold shutdown. None are producing electricity. The plant is staffed and maintained but not generating power.
Could the Zaporizhzhia plant cause another Chernobyl?▾
Modern VVER-1000 reactors have substantial containment structures that the Chernobyl-style RBMK reactors lacked. A Chernobyl-scale release is therefore considered very unlikely. The greater risk, according to the IAEA, comes from disruption of cooling systems or spent fuel pools while the plant remains in a combat zone.
When was Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant captured?▾
Russian forces took control of the plant in early March 2022, roughly two weeks into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The plant has been under Russian military control ever since.
About Nuclear Power
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. They provide reliable baseload power with virtually no direct carbon emissions, though they produce radioactive waste.
Other Nuclear Power Plants in Ukraine
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant | 3.0 GW | Energoatom |
| ⚡Rivne Nuclear Power Plant | 2.9 GW | Energoatom |
| ⚡Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant | 2.0 GW | Energoatom |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.