Ukraine has resumed electricity exports: why this became possible
5 March 19:35
On March 5, Ukraine resumed electricity exports at a minimum level during certain hours of the day. Deliveries are made exclusively when there is a surplus in the power system. The volumes of deliveries arestill very low—only 12 MWh were exported to Moldova during the night, according to ExPro monitoring, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The following day, March 6, companies reserved 120 MWh of transmission capacity for export at daily auctions. The largest capacity was reserved for 10 hours – 20 MW. On March 5, larger capacities were registered at the capacity allocation auctions, up to 61 MW at certain hours, but they were not actually used.
“Currently, export volumes are negligible and occur only during surplus hours, mainly during periods of peak activity of solar power plants. In general, the power system is very dynamic: the balance between production and consumption is formed virtually every minute, so the situation can change quickly. If there is an opportunity to export electricity at certain times, this does not mean that there will not be a shortage at other times — such variability is a normal feature of any power system,” says Daria Orlova, an electricity market analyst at ExPro .
According to ExPro, the current surplus at certain times is due to active generation by solar power plants and renewable energy sources in general, as well as consistently high production levels at nuclear power plants.
At the same time, some of the generating capacities destroyed by Russian attacks earlier are still undergoing repairs, which will take a long time to complete. With the onset of spring and warm sunny weather, electricity consumption has also decreased significantly, which has affected the balance in the system. At the same time, power shortages may still occur at certain times, and, accordingly, electricity supply restrictions may be applied. In addition, problems with the network infrastructure as a result of enemy shelling may lead to shortages in certain regions.
Electricity imports remain high, with a total volume of 27,000 MWh per day on March 5. Most electricity is imported during the evening peak hours, at around 1.4 GW.
Ukraine last exported electricity on November 11, 2025.
Exports are only allowed when electricity production exceeds domestic consumption. If the situation in the power system changes, exports may be promptly restricted or completely stopped.
