Blackouts: Ukrenergo predicts the most difficult situation in July
6 June 2024 11:13
The most difficult situation in Ukraine’s power system is expected to be in mid-summer. This is when electricity consumption will increase due to the massive switching on of air conditioners, which could lead to daily deficits. This was reported by the national energy company Ukrenergo in a commentary to Suspilne, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The company noted that it would be “difficult to cover the increased electricity consumption” because at that time, restoration work would still be underway at thermal and hydroelectric power plants damaged by Russian massive shelling.
In addition, hydroelectric power plants traditionally reduce their output in summer, while nuclear power units will be undergoing repairs and preparing for the maximum loads that will be experienced in winter.
According to Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of NPC Ukrenergo, the situation in Ukraine’s power system will be more difficult this week than in the last days of May. This situation is caused by three factors. The first factor is the scheduled outage of two nuclear power units. The second is the consequences of Russian shelling of energy facilities on 31 May and 1 June. The third, according to Kudrytskyi, is the projected increase in consumption due to the heat wave.
He added that the biggest electricity shortages will be in the morning and evening of every day for the next week.
Thelast attack on the Ukrainian power system took place on the night of 1 June. Then the Russian military struck at energy facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. In particular, the occupiers hit two hydroelectric power plants. This is the sixth massive attack on the Ukrainian energy system since March.
