VIENNA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- A process had been set in motion to help restore external electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Thursday, following weeks of intensive contact with both Russia and Ukraine over the site's latest loss of off-site electricity amid the ongoing conflict.

According to an IAEA statement, recent discussions have focused on creating the necessary security conditions to repair the damaged sections of the 750 kilovolt Dniprovska and the 330 kilovolt Ferosplavna-1 power lines, located on opposite sides of the frontline near the plant.

"Following intensive consultations, the process leading to the re-establishment of off-site power -- through the Dniprovska and Ferosplavna-1 lines -- has started," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in the statement.

Grossi said that while it would still take some time to fully restore the plant's grid connection, both sides have engaged constructively with the agency in the interest of nuclear safety and security.

The ZNPP lost its connection to the grid on Sept. 23 for the 10th time since the conflict began, after its last remaining 750-kilovolt power line was cut. Both sides have blamed the damage on military activity. ■