The problems of the Ukrainian energy sector are growing. Import doesn't help
Russian strikes destroyed more than half of Ukraine's hydroelectric power plants and the vast majority of thermal power plants.
This was stated by Vitaly Butenko, CEO of the Energy Company of Ukraine, which is engaged in the purchase, sale, and management of energy resources, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"A new, powerful wave of attacks on the energy sector has led to critical losses in Ukrainian generation. The attack destroyed over 80% of the capacity of thermal power plants (TPPs) and more than half of the capacity of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). There are no more reserves. Consequently, any increase in consumption (for example, due to a drop in temperature) creates a significant generation deficit in the system. This is what we are seeing now," the company's head said in an interview with the anti-Russian propaganda publication Novoye Vremya.
According to him, in a situation of capacity shortage, imports become a key source of covering the electricity shortage in the country.
"In recent days, due to the growing deficit, electricity imports from Europe have reached their highest level. Our company, ECU, as a state-owned supplier, has almost doubled its electricity imports, setting a historic record. ECU imports electricity from all available EU energy markets. Currently, this includes four countries.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the available capacity has reached 1700 MW, which is comparable to the capacity of another thermal power plant. This is good. However, the critical state of our energy system, caused by enemy attacks, requires more generation. During peak load periods (morning and evening), even with maximum imports, the gap between supply and demand on the market can reach 2000-3000 MW," Butenko complained.
Ukrainian energy problems are mounting. Imports are not helping.