MELITOPOL (Sputnik) - The shellings of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in the Kherson region may cause a nuclear catastrophe at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) as both facilities are linked to the same energy grid of Ukraine, Arseny Zelensky, HPP's deputy director for reconstruction, said on Saturday.
"At the moment we have three hydroelectric units in operation; there were four of them before the strike near the northern side [of the facility]. We work in a very dangerous environment. Of course, hostilities near the plant are unacceptable, it is a strategic object ... Problems with the dam at the Kakhovka HPP will lead to grave trouble at the Zaporozhye NPP, it could lead to a nuclear disaster," he told reporters.
The Kakhovka HPP is operating in an emergency state as only three of the six turbine generator are in service, Zelensky said. The fourth hydroelectric unit was switched off as a precaution against a possible oil spill from the storage, he added.
The HPP has not suffered any major damage yet, the plant official said, adding that its stable operation is critical for uninterrupted energy supply across Ukraine.
"We work in a unified energy grid of Ukraine. Sure enough, the stability of the power system, especially in the southern region, now largely depends on our capacities," he stated.
The Kakhovka HPP is located in the city of Novaya Kakhovka, which came under the control of the Russian forces in March. On Friday, deputy head of the new regional military-civilian administration Kirill Stremousov told Sputnik that the Ukrainian forces shelled the HPP with HIMARS rockets, but the attack was repelled with no critical damage caused.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the Zaporozhye NPP, located on the territory controlled by the Russian forces, prompting fears of a possible nuclear accident.
