Ukraine's energy minister: We hope to gradually switch to rolling outage schedules

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that coordinated efforts by Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned electricity transmission operator, and regional distribution companies have led to signs of partial stabilisation in the country's energy system.

Source: Shmyhal on Facebook

Quote: "The situation in the energy system remains difficult, with a significant capacity deficit. However, we are seeing a trend towards partial stabilisation thanks to coordinated actions by Ukrenergo and distribution system operators.

As for electricity supply, we expect to gradually move from emergency cuts to rolling outage schedules in the coming days. Our goal is to reach predictable schedules of up to three or four queues. We are also forming additional reserve crews to strengthen work." [Ukrenergo defines a "queue" as a group of consumers and businesses using a specific amount of megawatts. The Dispatch Centre sets the number of queues needed across oblasts to address energy deficits. Critical infrastructure and eligible industrial companies that import at least 60% of their energy cannot be disconnected, according to a Ukrainian Cabinet resolution – ed.]

Details: Shmyhal added that a full verification of cogeneration units had been conducted in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, with authorities clearly identifying their total number and technical condition.

Quote: "At present, only about a third of the commissioned capacity is actually supplying electricity to the power grid. We are working on this issue with local authorities. All installations must be operational."

Background:

• DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, reported that Ukraine's power system is operating at the limit of its capacity, with some energy facilities undergoing emergency repairs.
• To prevent overloads, power grid dispatchers have been forced to introduce emergency power cuts, which are difficult to predict in advance.

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