Power outages extended to new regions, Ukrainians asked to save energy: where there will be no power on March 29

On March 29, Russians shelled energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. The attack targeted power generation facilities, damaging thermal and hydroelectric power plants. Emergency blackouts were introduced in the evening in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kirovograd regions, and hourly blackouts are in effect in Kharkiv region. At the same time, an emergency outage occurred in the Odesa region, and there were blackouts in the Khmelnytskyi region due to the weather.

Ukrainians are strongly advised to limit their electricity consumption to prevent further blackouts. "Today's attack again damaged the equipment quite heavily. Once again, the attack was directed against both electricity generation facilities and the electricity distribution system. All of us need to reduce electricity consumption now. This is especially true in the evening. All services are working to overcome the consequences. Power engineers are working 24/7," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a government meeting.

The main reason for the blackouts is the lack of sufficient generating capacity in the system to cover consumption in certain regions of the country, as a result of a massive Russian attack on Ukrainian power plants at night, Ukrenergo reported. Power supply restrictions remain in effect in Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih. Consumers in other regions are also asked to consume electricity consciously.

According to DTEK. There are no scheduled outages in Odesa. "There was an emergency shutdown of equipment at one of Ukrenergo's high-voltage substations. Residents of Khadzhibey and Kyiv districts were left without electricity for some time," the statement said, but electricity has been restored to all residents.

There have also been emergency power outages in the Khmelnytsky region due to strong winds. According to the regional power company, 96 settlements are without power, 56 of them partially. Most of the outages are in the communities of the southern part of the region.

Ukrenergo urged Ukrainians to save electricity. "Currently, restrictions are in effect in Kryvyi Rih and Kharkiv regions. By the evening, restrictions may be imposed in the eastern and Dnipro regions. Please consume electricity sparingly," the power company said.

In general, despite the nighttime attack on power plants, the power system is operating in a balanced manner. No electricity shortages are expected. The storm front that is passing through Ukraine facilitates the operation of wind power plants, and three power units at thermal power plants are in operation.

According to the Ministry of Energy, power engineers and rescuers are already working to eliminate the consequences. The occupiers attacked three DTEK thermal power plants. Thermal generation facilities were shelled in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The enemy also attacked an energy facility in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, damaging equipment.

"As a result of attacks on generation facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions, equipment was damaged," the Ministry of Energy said. Substations and, as a result, consumers (railways without disruptions in train traffic, public utilities, local industry, and the population) were de-energized.

"The equipment was severely damaged. After the attack ended, power engineers promptly began to eliminate the consequences. According to preliminary information, a power engineer was injured. The employee was promptly provided with the necessary assistance," DTEK explained.

In the Cherkasy region, an energy infrastructure facility was hit by a Russian missile attack. This was reported by Ihor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration. "All services are on the ground. Work to eliminate the consequences continues," he said in a statement.

• Dnipropetrovsk region

There are damages to energy facilities (which are not named). That is why emergency schedules have been introduced in the region (i.e., outages occur without following plans in a situation of critical need). "As a result of the attack on energy facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrenergo has introduced emergency shutdown schedules. Therefore, keep your gadgets and power banks charged just in case," said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council.

After 15:00, emergency schedules were announced in the Dnipropetrovsk region. "Last night, the enemy again carried out a large-scale attack on the energy infrastructure. Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution facilities were damaged. That is why emergency blackouts are taking place in the Dnipropetrovsk region by order of NPC Ukrenergo," DTEK said.

• Kirovohrad region

"Today, from 14:44, emergency power outage schedules have been introduced throughout the Kirovohrad region by order of NPC Ukrenergo. This is a necessary step to avoid grid overload and balance the power system. This schedule is being introduced on an emergency basis, so it is impossible to publish it in advance," the power company said.

• Odesa and Odesa district: restriction schedules are not applied, but the situation is still difficult

On March 29, blackout schedules were canceled in Odesa. "Power engineers continue round-the-clock repairs in Odesa. As of now, we can avoid restrictions on electricity consumption. Ukrenergo's efficient equipment cannot meet the needs of Odesa and Odesa district by 100%. Therefore, in case of an increase in consumption, restrictions may be applied again. We ask you to consume electricity reasonably," DTEK explains.

• Kharkiv region

Kharkivoblenergo said that the extent of the damage in Kharkiv does not yet allow for the simultaneous supply of electricity to all buildings. "The schedules drawn up and distributed earlier have to be adjusted, and this is due to certain technological processes," the company said. The power company is trying to prevent the grid from overloading, which could lead to equipment failure. "For certain reasons, sometimes it is necessary to cut off the power supply differently than the schedule," the power company explained and asked residents not to overload the call centers of Kharkivoblenergo and the city service 1562.

It may be possible to mitigate the blackout schedules in Kharkiv over the weekend. On March 30 and 31, Ukraine is expected to experience serious warming, which will help save electricity.

In general, the situation in the city and the region remains difficult, Galushchenko said. "Zmiivska thermal power plant was mutilated and destroyed by the enemy on March 22 in an attempt to destroy everything around and deprive Ukrainians of light and heat. Unfortunately, the Russians partially succeeded. The situation with electricity supply in the region is difficult. But Kharkiv is alive. Power engineers are working – the subway is running, and critical infrastructure is powered. Restoration work is ongoing 24/7. As well as our work on finding and ordering the equipment necessary for the restoration," the Minister said.

Gas facilities operate without damage

The enemy also targeted Naftogaz Group facilities. "Fortunately, no one was injured among the employees, the situation is under control. Naftogaz Group continues to fulfill its obligations to all customers and work for the energy security of the state," the company said on March 29.

The head of the Naftogaz Group, Oleksii Chernyshov, said that the ground part of the gas storage facility was damaged during one of the latest attacks. He wrote about this on his Facebook page. According to Chernyshov, there are no critical consequences of the attack, as the gas is stored at a considerable depth.

"The damaged part of the ground infrastructure will need to be restored, but we have enough backup capacities. The attack will not affect the supply of natural gas to Ukrainian consumers," explained Oleksii Chernyshev.

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