Ukraine's energy system sees record electricity consumption in summer on July 6 - Ukrenergo

MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax) - An all-time high of electricity consumption in Ukraine in the first half of the summer of 2023 was recorded at 4 p.m. on July 6, and it is 7% higher than the previous record seen in the summer of 2022.

"The highest consumption in the first half of the summer was recorded yesterday, at 4 p.m. on July 6. It is 7% higher than on the hottest day in the summer of 2022 and 14% higher than last Thursday. To understand this, such growth is equal to the production capacity of almost two nuclear power units," Ukrainian media outlets quoted the Ukrenergo national energy company as saying in a statement on Friday.

The active use of air conditioners is primarily the cause of the considerable growth of electricity consumption, the statement said.

The consumption level on July 6 remained high almost until the end of the day, which placed considerable strain on the energy system, because the activity of solar power plants is decreasing in the evening, and additional capacities need to be engaged to cover the high consumption level, Ukrenergo said.

"Whereas such consumption peaks were not a very hard task for the energy system last summer, a drastic increase in the load considerably complicates its operations now," it said.

At present, large-scale repairs are continuing at power plants and on the network, and, therefore, it significantly reduces the number of power units and main equipment of the high-voltage infrastructure in operation.