Ukraine lost up to 10 GW of generation capacity due to Russian attacks: what is happening with the power system?
12 February 09:15
Ukraine has lost up to 10 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity due to massive strikes by the Russian army on energy infrastructure. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Bloomberg, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the head of state, a series of missile and drone attacks has led to significant losses in the electricity production system, which is already affecting the stability of energy supplies.
Deficit during peak hours — up to 6 GW
The president stressed that due to damage to power generation facilities, the energy system faces a daily deficit of 5-6 GW during peak consumption hours.
This means that during the highest load — in the morning and evening — the system operates with limited reserves, which increases the risk of emergency shutdowns in the event of new attacks or technical failures.
Some facilities will only be restored by the next heating season
Zelensky noted that some of the damaged energy facilities require lengthy restoration. According to preliminary estimates, some stations and substations will only be able to return to full operation by the next heating season.
He urged people not to overestimate optimistic forecasts for a quick recovery of the energy sector, as the situation remains difficult both technically and financially.
The issue of financing: the risk of economic shock
The president warned that without clearly defined sources of funding for infrastructure restoration, the country could face economic risks. We are talking about billions of dollars needed to rebuild the energy sector, cover social costs, and maintain defense capabilities.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs a transparent and long-term financing mechanism with the participation of European partners.
The potential use of frozen Russian assets, although considered one of the options, may prove insufficient in the long run.
Consequences for the country
Losses of 10 GW represent a significant portion of Ukraine’s pre-war generating capacity. The conditions of war force the energy system to operate in a mode of constant adaptation, and energy workers to repair damaged facilities under the threat of new shelling.
At the same time, the Ukrainian power system continues to function thanks to rapid repairs, international assistance, and restrictive measures during peak hours.
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