A Verkhovna Rada committee explained why power outages seem “unfair” but are unavoidable
27 January 18:40
ЕКСКЛЮЗИВ
Massive Russian strikes on energy infrastructure have once again exacerbated the problem of blackouts in Ukraine, while also fueling a wave of disinformation about alleged electricity exports abroad
Uneven power outages, social tension in communities, and conflicting reports on social media are forcing the public to ask: how does the Ukrainian power grid actually function under conditions of shortage, why isn’t electricity available everywhere at the same time, and is the government doing everything possible to restore and protect critical infrastructure during the war? Who decides on the power outage schedules, and according to what criteria? What role do nuclear power generation and imports from the EU play? Is the government investing enough in alternative energy sources and in protecting energy infrastructure from further attacks?
Why are power outages “unfair”?
The key problem with the current blackouts is the technical complexity of distributing a scarce resource both between regions and within individual cities and communities. Explains in a comment
“In reality, it is technically very difficult to distribute this scarce resource today, both between regions and within a region. This is because there is a list of facilities belonging to enterprises that are critical to the country’s vital functions,” explains Serhiy Nahorniak.
These facilities include hospitals, schools, kindergartens, military-industrial complex enterprises, bakeries, and dairy plants. All of them have critical infrastructure status and must receive a continuous supply of electricity.
However, the problem is that these facilities are physically connected to the same power lines as residential buildings or other businesses.
“These facilities aren’t in outer space. They’re located on specific streets, and private households or other businesses are connected to the same power line. Physically disconnecting the line so that power goes only to the hospital, but not to the 100–200 homes on that line, is a very complex, expensive, and time-consuming process,” says Nahorniak.
That is precisely why we end up with a situation where one street has power and the next one does not.
“Turn off your neighbor’s power too”: social tension during blackouts
The deputy cites an example from his single-member district in the Cherkasy region.
“In late December and early January, there were many requests asking that hospitals not be cut off according to the schedules. I worked with the government, the prime minister, the energy minister, and the regional power company—and we resolved the issue. Now, no hospitals are being cut off; they operate 24/7,” says Nahorniak
However, another problem arose after that.
“Residents of the village of Lysyanka started calling and saying: ‘On the street where the hospital is connected, the lights are on in the houses—this is unfair, turn off the hospital too,’” says Nahorniak.
According to Nagornyak, Ukrainians are generally willing to put up with inconveniences, but often only on the condition that everyone around them is doing the same.
Is Ukraine selling electricity abroad today?
A separate issue is the fake news about electricity exports, which spreads rapidly during every wave of blackouts. It’s clear that these are Russian disinformation campaigns, but they spread very quickly.
“Not a single kilowatt of electricity has been exported to European Union countries as of now or over the past month. Absolutely not a single kilowatt. We can put a period on that,” says Serhiy Nahorniak.
The reason is simple— a shortage. Under these conditions, we cannot export a single kilowatt of electricity, the deputy emphasizes.
Instead, Ukraine imports electricity from the EU.
“This includes both commercial imports—where private traders purchase electricity in the EU and sell it on the Ukrainian market—and imports for domestic consumption by state-owned and private enterprises,” explains Nahorniak.
Nuclear power remains the key source of electricity generation in Ukraine.
“Today, the number one generator is Energoatom, which produces the majority of all electricity consumed in Ukraine,” he notes.
Alternative generation and emergency procurement: is the government doing everything possible?
Against the backdrop of new Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and prolonged power outages, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the government to act more quickly to restore electricity and heat, especially in the capital. According to him, special attention should be paid to the Darnytskyi district and other districts on the left bank of Kyiv. The head of state announced this following reports from government officials and law enforcement agencies.
In particular, the president ordered a review of the actual state of readiness of the capital’s social infrastructure to function under conditions of prolonged outages.
“I have instructed that all reports on the readiness of social infrastructure, schools, and support centers in Kyiv be reviewed to ensure they are truly operational for the benefit of the people,” Zelenskyy stated.
Zelenskyy also tasked the government with urgently assessing the possibility of purchasing equipment for alternative electricity generation and heat supply.
Incidentally, Kyiv has already received 130 generators of various capacities from Poland, which, amid the energy crisis in Ukraine and the capital, will allow the city to strengthen the resilience of critical facilities and social institutions.
Serhiy Nahorniak, a member of parliament and member of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services, emphasized that the state is already operating at the limits of its capabilities, as the challenges are of a nationwide nature.
“I believe that everything possible is being done right now to restore heat and electricity supplies as quickly as possible, both in the capital and throughout the country. Because the problems are not limited to the capital; we are facing issues across the entire country,” Nagornyak noted.
According to the deputy, additional financial assistance from international partners remains critically important, particularly for key energy companies.
“Additional support from donors would certainly not hurt us right now. And financial support for institutions such as Ukrenergo, for companies such as Ukrhydroenergo, as well as for thermal power plants and Centrenergo,” said Nahorniak.
The situation with electricity and heat supply in Ukraine increasingly depends not only on the speed of repairs or funding, but also on the ability to protect infrastructure from repeated attacks. That is why the president’s demands regarding accelerating restoration, alternative generation, and strengthening air defense effectively form a single agenda— to keep the system running amid a war of attrition.
Who to trust during the energy crisis
The MP urges Ukrainians to be critical of their sources of information.
“It is important for people to trust verified sources—official channels of the government, military administrations, and the companies Ukrenergo and Energoatom. Not Telegram channels with unknown owners and unclear intentions,” Nagornyak concludes.
Thus, the sporadic power outages that cause the most public outrage are not the result of arbitrary decisions or “injustice,” but of technical limitations of the power grid operating under wartime conditions and constant attacks. The key priority remains the uninterrupted power supply to critical infrastructure facilities—hospitals, military enterprises, and essential industries. At the same time, waves of disinformation about the alleged export of electricity only intensify social tension and play into the enemy’s hands. Amid shortages and daily destruction, the resilience of the power grid depends not only on the speed of restoration and international aid, but also on the protection of infrastructure and public trust in official information.
