Minister Galushchenko: Ukraine ends heating season with power capacity surplus
The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko during an extended meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to the Government portal.
According to Galushchenko, Russia made unprecedented efforts to deprive Ukrainians of power, water and heat supply services last winter, and destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, the enemy’s plans were disrupted, and Ukraine is ending the heating season with a power capacity surplus, sufficient gas and coal reserves and, most importantly, with experience and powerful support from the international coalition.
Since October 2022, Russia launched 31 air attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including 14 massive missile attacks and 17 attacks with suicide drones. The key energy objects were hit: thermal power plants, combined heat and power plants, hydro power plants, power transmission substations. Additionally, some generating facilities have been temporarily occupied by Russians.
Despite the damage caused by Russian attacks, Ukrainian power engineers managed to keep the energy system integrated, meet the basic needs of critical infrastructure and ensure the continuity of power supply services for other consumer categories.
Ukraine’s energy system has been operating with no capacity deficit for 21 days now. This was achieved through the early completion of repairs at nuclear power plant units, prompt renovation works within a number of thermal power generating facilities, favorable meteorological conditions, increased electricity production volumes at hydro power plants, and increased generation at solar power plants.
Galushchenko noted that Ukraine is ending the challenging winter period fully provided with fuel. In particular, there is 1,160 thousand tonnes of coal left in warehouses at thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants, which is 375 thousand tonnes higher compared to the same period last year. In addition, Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities contain 9.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which is nearly equal to last year’s volumes.
Photo: Ukrainian Energy Ministry
