Iranian nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) – Iran's only nuclear power plant has undergone a temporary emergency shutdown, Iranian media reported Sunday, but no reason was given for the shutdown of the Russian-built plant.

An official from the state power company said the Bushehr plant shutdown began on Saturday and would last "for three to four days."

The official said this was the first emergency shutdown since the plant went online in 2011.

Iran has been grappling with power cuts and is particularly vulnerable in the summer months when heatwaves are common.

The reactor produces around 900 megawatts of electricity per day, which according to state media reports is under 2% of Iran's consumption.

In March, nuclear official Mahmoud Jafari said the plant could face problems since Iran cannot procure parts and equipment for it from Russia due to sanctions imposed by the US in 2018.