2024-09-20T16:05:00+03:00 Economy 2024-09-24T04:00:01+03:00

Ukrainian news

UN gives forecast regarding power outages in Ukraine this winter

UN gives forecast regarding power outages in Ukraine this winter

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (UN HRMMU) predicts that power outages in Ukraine in winter can last from 4 to 18 hours a day.

This is stated in the HRMMU bulletin, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"The Ukrainian electricity transmission company announced in June that the population is facing a difficult winter with an electricity deficit of more than 30% due to a shortage from 3 to 6 gigawatts of electricity during peak hours. Experts have informed HRMMU that this shortage can lead to power outages in winter from 4 to 18 hours per day," the document says.

It is noted that before the start of the full-scale armed invasion of the russian federation on February 24, 2022, Ukraine produced 44.1 GW of electricity at its nuclear, thermal, hydroelectric power plants and renewable sources.

At the same time, in the winter before the start of the war, electricity consumption was about 26 GW, and surplus electricity was exported.

The occupation of part of the Ukrainian territory by the russian federation led to a decrease in electricity production capacity by 18 GW.

For example, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, captured in March 2022, previously provided approximately 20% of Ukraine's electricity needs.

"Until the winter of 2023-2024, Ukraine was able to produce only about 17.8 gigawatts of electricity per hour, while the peak winter consumption reached 18.5 gigawatts per hour. The deficit was settled by importing electricity, changing the country's previous status as a net exporter of electricity," the document says.

Since March 2024, the HRMMU recorded 36 attacks on electricity facilities, including 25 thermal power plants (TPP) and combined heat and power plants (CHHP) in 9 regions, 7 hydroelectric power plants (HEPP) in 5 regions, 2 renewable energy facilities in one region and 2 thermal power plants in two regions.

The HRMMU also recorded at least 101 strikes on distribution facilities.

As of June 2024, 73% of power units of thermal power plants in Ukraine were disabled due to significant damage.

In addition, 20 hydro units at hydroelectric power stations were also decommissioned.

"As a result of repeated attacks on the Ukrainian power grid, the shortage of electricity has increased significantly. As of July 2024, electricity suppliers estimate the loss of approximately 9 gigawatts of production capacity as a result of this year's attacks alone, which is about half of the peak electricity consumption in Ukraine in the winter of 2023-2024," document noted.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Ukraine has lost more than 9 GW of capacity since the end of March due to russian shelling.

Russian occupiers also captured 18 GW of Ukrainian generation.