The Ukrainian energy system withstood another enemy attack on March 9, although the invaders managed to damage energy facilities in different regions of the country. The light situation in some cities should improve in a few days, but not everywhere.
On Thursday, March 9, 2023, the Ukrainian energy system experienced the 15th massive missile attack from Russia. The invaders damaged infrastructure facilities in several regions, so the power industry had to limit energy consumption. Meanwhile, Ukrenergo says that although Russia failed to fulfill its plan to completely cut off power to Ukraine, they nevertheless inflicted damage on the domestic energy system, which was just beginning to recover from previous attacks. Focus figured out what objects the Russian army damaged and whether it is possible that the Ukrainians will again begin to turn off the power for a long time.
According to the head of the board of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytsky, the restoration of power supply in some regions after another large-scale missile attack by the Russian Federation may take longer than in others. All due to significant damage.
“We are already working on restoring the power supply to all our regions. In some it will be possible quite quickly, in some it will take more time, since the destruction is very significant,” he said.
At the same time, Kudritsky did not name the exact dates for the completion of restoration work, noting that everything would become known closer to the end of the day, on March 9.
“We will work non-stop 24/7 so that 100% of consumers receive a reliable power supply as soon as possible,” added Vladimir Kudritsky.
What damaged Russia and where long-term problems with light are possible
According to Ukrenergo, Russia damaged the energy infrastructure of Ukraine. In particular:
thermal stations; substations.
Meanwhile, the director of energy programs at the Razumkov Center, Volodymyr Omelchenko, in a commentary for OBOZREVATEL, said that after rocket attacks on the energy system of Ukraine, electricity will be turned off on March 9 in 3 areas:
Odessa; Kharkov; Zhytomyr.
He noted that the Russians damaged at least three power plants of DTEK – thermal power plants. In addition, power facilities in Kyiv were damaged, after which there was an overload of power lines in the capital in Goloseevsky and Svyatoshinsky districts.
“It is difficult to say how long emergency shutdowns will last. Perhaps it will take several days,” Vladimir Omelchenko said.
At the same time, DTEK has already warned the people of Kiev that although the situation in the city’s energy system is not critical, the load may increase at any moment. This will lead to the fact that the situation with light can change dramatically.
“Energy workers are working tirelessly to stabilize the energy system. But the situation with the schedules in Kyiv may change due to the consequences of the shelling,” the message says.
By the way, schedules of rolling blackouts will operate in Zhytomyr from today. According to the mayor of the city, Sergei Sukhomlin, the power will be turned off for two weeks or a little more.
“Today we will again switch to electricity supply schedules. Approximately 2-2.5 weeks – and due to the supply of electricity from other regions, the situation with electricity supply should improve,” he said.
In Odessa, where energy infrastructure facilities were also damaged during rocket attacks, electricity will be supplied to city residents according to schedules.
“While the restoration of the power system continues, the light will be supplied in accordance with the stabilization shutdown schedules,” DTEK said.
Recall that on March 6, Ukrainians were urged not to accumulate debts for electricity, since after the war, power engineers will begin to cut off the most persistent non-payers from the light. At the moment, Ukrainians owe 2.5 billion hryvnia for electricity.
