Power Outages Due to Heat Wave: Shmyhal Outlines Five Measures to Stabilize the Power Grid
30 June 15:38
Due to the abnormal heat and a sharp increase in electricity consumption, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy is implementing a series of measures to reduce the power grid deficit.
This was announced by Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to the energy minister, the abnormal heatwave that has swept across Ukraine and much of Europe has placed an additional strain on the power grid.
On hot days, the use of:
- air conditioners;
- fans;
- refrigeration equipment;
- industrial cooling systems;
- climate control systems in offices and shopping centers.
The situation becomes most critical in the evening, when people return home and turn on their household appliances all at once.
At the same time, some power units are undergoing scheduled maintenance, and a significant number of energy facilities are still being restored following Russian attacks.
Shmyhal ordered a review of nuclear power unit repairs
One of the Ministry of Energy’s main directives concerns nuclear power generation, which accounts for a significant portion of Ukraine’s electricity production.
The relevant agencies are to consider the possibility of optimizing the schedules for maintenance campaigns at nuclear power units.
The goal of this decision is to increase electricity production precisely during periods of peak demand.
This does not mean abandoning necessary repairs, but rather potentially adjusting their schedules while adhering to safety requirements.
At least 300 MW of thermal power generation will be returned to the grid
The Ministry of Energy has also instructed that emergency repair and restoration work at thermal power generation facilities be expedited as much as possible.
The plan is to commission equipment with a total capacity of at least 300 MW as soon as possible.
This could help partially offset the shortfall during peak-load hours.
Cogeneration plants will operate more intensively
Another focus is increasing electricity production through cogeneration plants, primarily gas-fired generation.
A cogeneration plant simultaneously produces:
- electricity;
- heat.
Such plants can operate close to consumers—in cities, communities, at businesses, or at critical infrastructure facilities.
Their advantage lies in the fact that they enable decentralized generation and reduce dependence on large power plants and transmission grids.
The Ministry of Energy is also tasked with preparing proposals for further liberalization of the conditions necessary for the effective operation of gas-fired cogeneration plants.
Energy storage systems will add about 300 MW to the grid
Shmyhal has directed that energy storage systems be used more actively.
These are large battery systems that can store electricity during off-peak hours and then feed it back into the grid during the evening peak.
According to the Ministry of Energy’s calculations, this should increase the power available to the grid by approximately 300 MW.
Storage systems help:
- respond quickly to shortages;
- smooth out evening consumption peaks;
- balance solar and wind generation;
- maintain the grid frequency;
- reduce the need for emergency load shedding.
According to data published on the Verkhovna Rada’s website, as of March 2026, over 500 MW of energy storage systems had already been installed in Ukraine.
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Ukraine Wants to Increase Electricity Imports from the EU
The fifth directive concerns increasing electricity imports from European countries.
The Ministry of Energy is to explore the possibility of increasing purchases not only by private companies but also by state-owned enterprises.
Ukraine can import electricity through interconnections with countries whose power grids are part of the European ENTSO-E network.
Additional supplies may come, in particular, from:
- Poland;
- Slovakia;
- Hungary;
- Romania;
- Moldova.
Actual import volumes depend on the available transmission capacity of interconnections, electricity prices, and the capabilities of European suppliers.
Five Key Decisions by the Ministry of Energy
To reduce the energy deficit, energy companies have been tasked with the following:
- Optimize maintenance schedules for nuclear power units.
- Restore at least 300 MW of thermal generation capacity.
- Make more active use of gas-fired cogeneration plants.
- Use energy storage systems with an estimated capacity of 300 MW.
- Increase electricity imports from the European Union.
Thus, thermal generation and storage systems alone have the potential to add approximately 600 MW of available capacity to the power grid.
However, the actual effect will depend on the speed of repairs, the condition of the equipment, and the operating mode of the storage systems.
When to Conserve Electricity
Denys Shmyhal urged Ukrainians to use electricity particularly sparingly during the evening peak hours from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“Energy providers are doing everything possible today to ensure the stability of the power grid. But how critical the situation becomes depends on each of us. Let’s remember that sensible electricity consumption during peak hours (5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.) is an important contribution each of us can make to ensuring a reliable power supply,” Shmyhal wrote.
During this period, it is advisable not to turn on several high-power appliances at the same time.
If possible, postpone the use of the following until another time:
- water heater;
- washing machine;
- dishwasher;
- electric oven;
- the iron;
- a dryer;
- charging an electric vehicle.
It is recommended to set the air conditioner to a moderate temperature rather than maximum cooling.
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