Ukraine changes the format of power cuts: no electricity for up to 16 hours
19 January 04:25
Due to the difficult energy situation caused by Russian attacks, Ukraine is beginning to live according to new schedules. From now on, there may be no electricity for more than 16 hours a day.
This was announced by Serhiy Kovalenko, CEO of the energy company YASNO, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing his Facebook post.
“The situation in the energy system has changed. Previously, more than four shifts meant unscheduled emergency blackouts, but now the country is starting to live on schedules of 4.5-5 shifts,” Kovalenko said.
He noted that the maximum intervals of 7 hours without electricity and 3.5 hours with electricity are currently irrelevant. The schedule of possible blackouts is also irrelevant.
“With restrictions of 5 out of 6 stages, outages can last more than 16 hours. This is the current reality,” explained the CEO of YASNO.
The situation in Kyiv is very difficult
According to Kovalenko, Kyiv is currently experiencing emergency power outages: approximately 3 hours with power and 10 hours without. However, the situation varies from district to district.
“Unfortunately, there are still many cases of accidents in homes. Very often, this is a matter for the building networks and the housing and communal services/homeowners’ associations. Therefore, the algorithm of actions when you think you have an emergency situation remains unchanged. First, contact the housing and communal services department/homeowners’ association. An electrician will inspect and make conclusions. If the problem is in the house, they will fix it. If the problem is with the networks, the housing and communal services department/homeowners’ association will submit a request to the networks,” he added.
At the same time, the CEO of YASNO gave an argument as to why power cuts in other regions, which will last more than 16 hours, are still better than the situation in Kyiv.
“This is not because of the energy companies, but because of the cynical attacks of the enemy, who is trying to create a humanitarian catastrophe. But even such a harsh schedule is better than complete unpredictability. Because there are guidelines — an understanding of when the lights should come back on,” Kovalenko writes.
As for improving the situation, he says it is difficult to say at this point. According to the CEO of YASNO, Ukrainians need to endure these severe frosts, and with the warming weather, consumption should decrease. At the same time, a key factor is the shelling of energy facilities, which is impossible to predict.
What is happening with energy in Ukraine
On January 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that due to the severe consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a decision would be made to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector.
Two days later, on January 16, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new rules, according to which curfews may be relaxed in settlements and communities where a state of emergency in the energy sector is in effect.
