Ukrainians should brace for long blackouts that could last for days - DTEK

Up to 40% of consumers currently have no access to power supply due to large-scale damage the Russian missile strikes inflicted on energy infrastructure.

Certain areas are likely to remain in a blackout for several days, says Dmytro Sakharuk, DTEK CEO, who spoke at the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"The situation is currently under control, albeit very difficult. The Russians have caused very serious damage to our transmission facilities, which are the substations transfering electricity from one region to another and through which many regions in the center and west get power. After one of our TPPs was hit, it halted operations due to damage," Sakharuk said.

According to the CEO, as of now, about 40% of consumers in Ukraine have no access to electricity. The company cannot predict when this share will decrease. Moreover, he added, it’s no longer about scheduled blackouts, but rather about scheduled, and very limited, supply of power in certain areas of the country. Sometimes power outages might last for a few days.

"I’m talking days. Unfortunately, today we cannot talk about scheduled outages. In some areas, of which there are many, we have to talk about scheduled power supply. And the number of hours for which this scheduled supply may last could be very small – for two to three hours at most," said the DTEK chief.

As reported, on November 17, rolling blackout schedules will be in effect throughout Ukraine, while emergency shutdowns will also be introduced.