Vladimir Omelchenko, Director of Energy Programmes at the Razumkov Center, has stated that recent accidents at energy facilities are hindering efforts to improve power outage schedules.
He explained that Ukraine's entire energy system significantly relies on the state-owned company Energoatom, which contributes about 50% of the total production.
Omelchenko noted that there is a specific routine for this company, including scheduled maintenance for power units from spring to autumn. Failure to perform these maintenance checks can lead to accidents.
"Currently, about 50% of the company's capacity is under maintenance. This fact, combined with the extreme heat in Ukraine this July, results in a massive electricity deficit. Additionally, due to the heat, there have been several accidents with transformer failures at nuclear power plants, preventing improvements in electricity supply despite lower temperatures and the early return to service of one nuclear unit," Omelchenko wrote.
He pointed out that the current emergency power outages in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kirovohrad regions are already a consequence of the accidents at the power stations, as the distribution lines are overloaded.
The expert added that power outages are unlikely to disappear soon. The deficit remains as some power units are still under maintenance, and others will enter maintenance later.
Previously, state-owned Ukrenergo had to increase the number of power outages in Kyiv and 11 regions due to equipment failures at two energy facilities.
