Ukraine planning to repair 1.7 GW in energy capacities by fall-winter - ministry

MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Ukraine is planning to reconnect 1.7 GW in damaged energy capacities to its energy system by the start of the fall-winter period following large-scale repairs, Ukrainian media reported citing the Ukrainian Energy Ministry's press service.

"Large-scale repairs are currently underway at energy facilities. We're planning to repair generation facilities in the first place. The restoration of substations, grids, and thermal generation facilities in regions where they are of critical importance is also underway. In general, we are planning to add 1.7 GW to the energy system by next winter following repairs," the press service quoted Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko as saying in a statement.

Physical protection of the critical infrastructure is also beefed up as part of winter preparations, he said. The talks with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity to increase electric power imports from European countries to meet the needs of consumers during critical periods are also ongoing, he said.

According to the Ukraine Energy Damage Assessment Report prepared by the UN Development Program and the World Bank, the available capacity for electricity generation had halved from 37.6 GW to 18.3 GW since February 2022 to April 30, 2023.

The maneuvering capacity was affected the most, it dropped 68% from 14.3 GW to 4.6 GW, primarily at thermal power plants. The available capacity of nuclear generation decreased 44% from 13.8 GW to 7.7 GW, and the generating capacity decreased 29% from 6.6 GW to 4.7 GW. The available capacity of renewable energy sources fell 24% from 8.1 GW to 6.2 GW.