Power restored in all regions: Shmyhal explains reason for large-scale blackout
31 January 21:12
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that energy companies have restored power supply in all regions of Ukraine after a systemic failure that occurred this morning. Currently, the regions are returning to their scheduled power outage schedules.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Shmyhal’s Telegram.
“All regions are returning to their scheduled power outage schedules, and high-voltage lines and substations are operating normally. Energy companies responded as quickly as possible,” the message says.
Shmyhal explained that two accidents occurred on high-voltage lines in the morning with a minute interval. This, in turn, led to cascading blackouts in seven regions of Ukraine.
“Theories about a cyberattack or external interference have not been confirmed. According to preliminary estimates, this happened due to icing on the lines and equipment,” Shmyhal said.
According to him, the situation will be difficult today in the north, in the center of the country, and in the Odesa region. In particular, 64 teams are working to restore power supply in Kyiv, and 220 teams are working to restore heating.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted an evening video message in which he said that the most difficult situation is currently in Kyiv.
“The situation is most difficult in Kyiv right now, there is a significant heating shortage, with almost 3,500 buildings in various districts without heat. The city, utility services, and energy companies promise to remedy the heating situation as much as possible by tomorrow morning, but the pace needs to be faster. As for water supply in Kyiv, all consumers should have water today,” the president said.
Returning to Shmygal’s words, Ukrenergo stated that the situation in the power system is gradually stabilizing and that forced emergency shutdowns in several regions are not currently being implemented.
“Almost all nuclear power plant units that were forced to unload due to a systemic failure this morning have already reached their nominal capacity. The process of reloading the nuclear power plants is ongoing,” the company said.
