Planned power outages have not been implemented in Ukraine this winter, however, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services Andriy Gerus indicated that in the event of massive missile attacks and significant damage to infrastructure, their restoration is possible.
"There is a probability, but it is low enough. This probability depends on what the missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system will be. Therefore, it is probably impossible to completely exclude this. If there is a massive attack with dozens of missiles and drones on our energy facilities, then the probability of this exists," he said.
Gerus emphasized that today we are almost in the middle of January, and we have done without scheduled shutdowns. The work is aimed at avoiding such situations in the future. "Now it will not be possible to hit our energy facilities so easily. We have a certain safety margin and power equipment. Therefore, the probability of outages is, but rather low," he added.
According to the updated forecast of the National Bank of Ukraine, the deficit of power generation capacities may amount to 5% at the end of 2023 and at the beginning of 2024. However, taking into account import supplies, its impact on the economy will be insignificant.
The head of "Ukrenergo" Volodymyr Kudrytskyi indicated that Ukraine's energy facilities are equipped with three levels of protection against missile attacks and drones.
According to the survey of the Sociological group "Rating", almost three quarters (74%) of Ukrainians are preparing for possible problems with energy supply in winter. However, they also express optimism that the situation will be better than the previous year.
Currently, the situation regarding possible outages is determined by a number of factors, such as missile attacks and security threats to the energy infrastructure, and further measures will be taken to ensure the reliability and stability of Ukraine's energy system.
