Ukraine faces power outages up to 12 hours daily this winter
In an interview with the portal Delo.ua, Serhiy Kovalenko, CEO of the largest energy company Yasno, informed that power outages in Ukraine this coming winter may last up to 12 hours a day. According to him, the energy deficit may reach 35%.
Kovalenko noted that this is a preliminary forecast, and full plans for the winter period should be developed by the end of August. For this purpose, estimates will first be made regarding consumption, production, and energy import.
As the head of Yasno explained, some units of Ukrainian nuclear power plants are currently under maintenance. Still, they will start operating in the fall, which means that electricity production will be higher. Maintenance is also ongoing at hydroelectric and thermal power plants.
Kovalenko pointed out that generation will increase by the fall, although the ongoing Russian shelling of energy facilities may affect these plans. At the same time, as he noted, electricity consumption in Ukraine is highest in the winter.
Putin is implementing the so-called concept of Gen. Gerasimov, which the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation formulated and presented in 2019 at the Defence University in Moscow. Even then, he announced that the new concept of war involves prioritizing the destruction of critical infrastructure, parallel to other warfare activities.
The situation may worsen
According to Kovalenko, the situation may worsen if the damaged facilities are not restored after Russian military attacks and if there is no agreement on imports. However, the situation may also improve if everything that has been planned is implemented and the winter is mild.
It must also be remembered that imports and exports of electricity play a crucial role in Ukraine's security.
The most important trade partners for Ukraine in this area have been Hungary and Moldova. Also, the EU, including Poland, in 2023 imported over 870 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from Ukraine. Thanks to these connections, Kyiv gains additional funds that support the budget.
Lines connecting Ukrainian nuclear power plants with the West could become potential targets for Russian attacks.
Several thermal power plants in Ukraine have been destroyed by Russian attacks, including the Zmiivska near Kharkiv and the Trypilska in the Kyiv region. Recently, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration announced that the power plant in the city of Burshtyn could also not be rebuilt after the Russian shelling.
Supply restrictions
Additionally, the Russians attacked distribution networks in Ukraine. All this has forced the energy sector to impose significant restrictions on consumers.
As reported by the operator Ukrenerho, schedules for power outages will be in effect on Saturday throughout the entire day in Ukraine.
