Energy infrastructure in the crosshairs: a quarter of a billion euros was spent on Centrenergo
9 April 22:16
Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in March 2024 caused serious damage to the state-owned company Centrenergo. According to preliminary estimates by the company’s management, the amount of damage reached at least 250 million euros, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing the head of the general company, Yevhen Harkavyi.
The final figure may increase after a full technical and financial audit of the losses is completed.
What has suffered the most
The strikes almost completely destroyed two major thermal power plants – Trypillia TPP in Kyiv region and Zmiiv TPP in Kharkiv region. According to Yevhen Harkavyi, CEO of Centrenergo, more than 50 targeted hits were made on these plants. The attacks were carried out not only with missiles, but also with kamikaze drones, which complicated the work of air defense.
The stations were key generation facilities – together they provided more than 55% of the company’s total capacity. At the time of the strikes, this was the equivalent of two gigawatts of electricity. In a time of war, this loss is critical, as the stability of energy supply in several regions of the country, especially during the heating season, is at risk.
The third power plant, Vuhlehirska TPP, which also belongs to the company, has been under the control of the Russian occupiers since 2022. Its equipment has been either taken away or disabled, so it does not contribute to the production of energy for the Ukrainian grid.
Restoration requires enormous resources
To start the process of reconstruction and purchase of new equipment, the Cabinet of Ministers has already allocated more than UAH 1.5 billion in May 2024. These funds, according to officials, are primarily used to purchase critical elements to restore basic energy functions at the destroyed facilities, as well as for urgent work on dismantling emergency structures.
At the same time, Centrenergo recognizes that this funding is not enough. To fully restore the operation of at least one of the power plants, much larger investments are needed, both from the state and international partners. Consultations with donors and financial institutions are currently underway to attract targeted assistance for the reconstruction of the facilities.
International assistance as a condition for sustainability
Given the strategic importance of the energy sector for the war-torn country, the company’s management expects support from international donors, in particular in the form of concessional loans, technical assistance and equipment supplies. The priority is to quickly restore Trypillia TPP, which supplied electricity not only to Kyiv region but also to parts of Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions.
Despite the scale of the losses, Centrenergo says that the company will not cease operations. Internal reorientation of logistics flows, relocation of generation equipment and updating of the strategic recovery plan are underway. One of the areas of development will be the introduction of the latest technologies, in particular, mobile generation modules, which are easier to protect and quicker to put into operation.
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