Possibility of total blackout: Ukrainians told what to expect

Ukraine is not currently facing a total blackout. However, smaller-scale power outages are still possible. However, it is difficult to say whether they will be applied – it all depends on how well the damaged power facilities can be repaired before the start of the heating season.

This was announced by Ruslan Slobodyan, Head of the State Energy Supervision Service. He noted that no other power system in the world has ever suffered such damage to the Ukrainian energy sector. In particular:

• about 80% of thermal generation, which is highly maneuverable capacity that allows balancing the load in the power system throughout the day, was destroyed;
• hydroelectric generation facilities were severely damaged.

In total, Slobodyan noted, the enemy has hit more than 7 GW of generating capacity. It will take a long time to restore them.

"Unfortunately, blackouts are possible. It all depends on how well we manage to restore the damaged power facilities before the start of the heating season. We urgently need to find financial resources to restore the power sector. Therefore, we need to concentrate our efforts," Slobodyan summarized.

Blackout schedules will not be avoided

At the same time, Ukraine is unlikely to be able to avoid the introduction of blackout schedules next summer. The reason is the expected traditional consumption peaks in the hottest months of the year.

This was stated by Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, Forbes reports. He noted that if not for the forced emergency shutdowns in Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv regions, blackouts across the country could have been applied already now.

"Ukraine is unlikely to go through the peaks of consumption in July and August and in winter without restrictions. This is a moderately optimistic scenario. In the worst-case scenario, there will be no access to electricity for 4-6 hours a day. But there will be no apocalypse," the statement said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, power engineers are urging to save electricity now in order not to create an excessive load on the grid. The easiest way is not to use energy-consuming appliances at the same time. An electric stove consumes the most electricity – about 3.5 kWh.

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