An unexpected decision: Kanivska PSP to be built underground
31 July 2024 15:07
Ukrhydroenergo plans to build the Kanivska PSPP underground to protect it from enemy attacks. This was announced by the company’s CEO Ihor Syrota in an interview with LIGA.net, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to the official, the construction project is being changed to improve the security of the facility.
“We are making changes to the Kanivska PSP construction project. It should be inaccessible to the enemy. Therefore, there are plans to build it underground,”
– Syrota said.
The Head of Ukrhydroenergo stressed that today the energy sector faces three main challenges: rapid recovery, protection of existing facilities and planning for the future. He emphasised the importance of building a resilient infrastructure that can withstand modern threats. In this regard, Mr Syrota places a special emphasis on hydropower.
“We need to build PSPPs, as they can both be a ‘consumer’ of excess electricity generated by other plants and supply it to the grid as needed,”
– added the Head of Ukrhydroenergo.
Kanivska PSPP
The Kanivska Pumped Storage Power Plant is a project to build a pumped storage power plant in the village of Buchak near Kaniv in Cherkasy region. Initial construction began in 1984 but was suspended in 1991. In 2013, an updated design was approved with a capacity of 1000 MW in turbine mode and 1040 MW in pumping mode.
The project involves the construction of four hydroelectric units. The plant is expected to generate about 1 billion kWh of electricity per year. The project cost is estimated at USD 1.5 billion. The construction of the PSPP is planned to be financed by loans from international financial institutions.
Supporters of the project claim that the Kanivska PSPP will cover the shortage of manoeuvring capacity in Ukraine’s energy system and facilitate integration with the European power grid. However, the project has drawn criticism from environmentalists due to possible negative environmental impacts, including the risks of radioactive contamination and destruction of the Dnipro river banks.
Situation in the Ukrainian energy sector
on 29 March 2024, Russia resumed its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, carrying out the most massive shelling in the entire period of the full-scale war. In particular, DniproHES and other Ukrainian energy facilities were hit. Since then, Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
For example, the Russians destroyed the Trypillia and Zmiiv thermal power plants, causing Centrenergo to lose 100% of its generation. Also, 5 of DTEK’s 6 thermal power plants were severely damaged.
After that, power outages started again in Ukraine, Ukrenergo introduced blackout schedules and the government raised electricity tariffs by 60% at once.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to build two new units at the Khmelnytsky N PP and has already received the approval of the relevant parliamentary committee. The Razumkov Centre has criticised these plans, but some experts believe that only traitors or scoundrels are against the construction of nuclear power plants today.
