KYIV: Ukraine warned on Monday of more power outages in the wake of another large-scale Russian attack on Ukrainian power plants, and after ramping up energy prices to rebuild the embattled sector.
The latest Russian barrage, comprising over one hundred drones and missiles, targeted energy facilities in five regions and inflicted damage on two thermal power plants, intensifying concerns about energy security in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian energy ministry took to social media to alert the public about the significant power shortage resulting from six massive attacks on the power grid. While efforts are underway to repair the damage, the ministry acknowledged that the energy infrastructure remains vulnerable to further disruptions.
Ukraine has increased imports from neighboring EU countries to compensate for the shortfall in energy production. However, the ministry cautioned that periods of outages could escalate, with emergency blackouts already implemented in several regions.
The aerial assaults on Ukraine’s power facilities over the past two years have posed a persistent challenge to the country’s stretched air defenses, leaving them struggling to fend off waves of drones and missiles. Oleksandr Kharchenko, executive director at the Kyiv-based Energy Industry Research Center, expressed grim realism about the situation, suggesting that Ukrainians may need to adapt to this new normal for at least the next two years.
However, Kharchenko sought to reassure the public, asserting that despite the outages, the country’s energy infrastructure would endure.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko announced a significant price hike of over 60 percent, which came into effect last week. Galushchenko justified the increase by citing the need for planned reconstruction efforts aimed at repairing the extensive damage inflicted on Ukrainian power plants. He estimated that the reconstruction would require “enormous efforts and funds,” with initial estimates suggesting a staggering cost of around $1 billion.
