Power outages in Ukraine: how possible is a complete blackout?
The Russian military has already damaged about half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. With each subsequent attack, the system becomes less reliable, which is why reducing power consumption allows you to control the situation.
Is a complete blackout possible in Ukraine in the near future?
As the executive director of the energy company DTEK, Dmytro Sakharuk, said, a complete blackout in Ukraine is currently unlikely. According to him, the situation with energy in Ukraine is difficult, but controlled. That is why stabilization or emergency power outages are regularly implemented in Ukraine. You can learn about the difference between planned and emergency shutdowns and how long they can last here.
At the same time, Sakharuk admitted that a complete blackout of electricity in Kyiv is possible, but it will not last too long. According to him, our air defense system is getting stronger every day, and energy companies are constantly restoring networks so that this does not happen.
"By itself, a blackout in Kyiv is even theoretically possible in its entirety. But, if the system turns around, that is, turns on within the next 3-4 hours, even 6 hours, even when it's cold, it's normal. It can happen, but there's nothing wrong with this will not happen. It's worse if we can't turn on the system. Theoretically, such a situation could be the result of a significant destruction of both generation and substations, which allow electricity to be transferred from one place of the country to another, where it is consumed", - Saharuk said.
In addition, the executive director of DTEK added that energy companies are currently working on the restoration of infrastructure damaged by Russian shelling. This may allow turning off the lights in the homes of Kyiv residents less often and for a shorter period of time.
According to Sakharchuk, in Ukraine, 900 pieces of equipment are needed to restore six damaged power plants, and 9,000 pieces of equipment are needed to restore networks. At the same time, he noted that the funds needed to restore 900 elements are hundreds of times greater than for 9,000, and it is more difficult to buy them.
Currently, DTEK is considering the possibility of reducing planned stabilization shutdowns to once a day for 1-2 hours. In general, the company is currently working to ensure that there are no shutdowns at all on certain days - on weekends or at night.
The executive director of DTEK also emphasized that now the most difficult situation is in Kherson, where there is no light at all.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy said that the implemented emergency and hourly power outage schedules make it possible to stabilize the power system, carry out repair and restoration works.
"The Ministry of Energy appeals to Ukrainians with a single call: help energy companies reduce the load on the network. We have to achieve the rate of voluntary reduction of consumption by each family at the level of 25%", - the department added.
The Ministry of Energy noted that energy workers are working to restore the infrastructure 24/7.
"Refuting the panic statements spread by social networks and online media, we assure you that the situation with energy supply is difficult, but under control", - the message reads.
Is it worth leaving Ukraine for the winter period?
Recently, DTEK denied a call to Ukrainians to leave the country in order to save electricity. The company emphasized that there is no need to go abroad.
The company emphasized that the general director of DTEK Maksym Timchenko did not call on Ukrainians to go abroad. In an interview with the British BBC, he noted that there is no emergency situation in Ukraine that requires leaving.
DTEK once again stressed that they, together with the Ministry of Energy and other energy companies, are doing everything possible to ensure that the energy system works stably.
Instead, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, advised residents of high-rise buildings to leave the city for the winter. According to him, there is a high probability of long-term power outages in the city - they can last up to several days. Also, due to Russian shelling, more than 50 high-rise buildings in Ivano-Frankivsk were left without heat supply.
Despite the difficult energy situation in Ukraine, you can prepare for blackouts. We will remind you that earlier we talked about how to be prepared for power outages.
In addition, here we have collected life hacks that will help you not to freeze and starve at home in winter. But please note that it is forbidden to install boilers for heating apartments, why - we explain in our article at the link.
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