Repairs on Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant's second power line, Dneprovskaya, completed - Rosatom CEO

MOSCOW. June 22 (Interfax) - Repairs to the second line that supplies power to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) have been completed, Rosatom chief executive Alexei Likhachev told journalists on Monday.

"We managed to complete the work on the second power supply line, the Dneprovskaya line," Likhachev said.

The work was completed during a temporary ceasefire that began on June 5 with the participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said, noting that there were provocations from Ukraine.

"I hope yet another permanently active transmission line will be reconnected in the next few hours to supply [power] to the plant, which will, of course, only strengthen its resilience and safety," Likhachev said.

The main aim is to "to increase the capacities of all of Zaporozhye NPP's six power units and provide the region with sustainable green electricity," Likhachev said.

The previous week was very hard, with more and more aggressive attacks on Energodar, its social infrastructure and the NPP infrastructure, he said.

"We have lost two NPP staff in recent months and around ten people are injured. It is a dreadful tragedy. We note the particular sophistication of the attacks of the past few days, on the transport department, on the town's energy infrastructure. We are talking about dozens of strikes every day, every night," Likhachev said.

The aim of attacks on the NPP and Energodar is to try and "shatter" the atmosphere inside the town and degrade the NPP staff, he said.

"But that aim has not been achieved, nor will be. The staff have shown true bravery, the will and ingenuity in resolving the problems. The staff are working very responsibly. The IAEA specialists onsite register [strikes]," Likhachev said.

The past few weeks saw the NPP experience several total power losses and the Ferrosplavnaya line become inactive, he said.

The system of mobile diesel generators would be triggered, power supply was impeccable and no risk emerged, he said.

"We will continue to help both our employees and Energodar residents. Children will definitely rest in the summer. Whoever needs medical care will receive it. Daily issues will be solved. We are, of course, waiting for when peace comes and the work of nuclear power specialists becomes not just inspiring, but also very effective," Likhachev said.