The coming winter is likely to test the resilience of the Ukrainian people in a way that has not been seen on our continent since World War II. Low winter temperatures may make some places in Ukraine uninhabitable. This is stated in an article by European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson , published by the British business newspaper Financial Times, Komersant ukrainskyi
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“The next winter is likely to test the resilience of the Ukrainian people in a way that has not been seen on our continent since the Second World War,” the European Commissioner said.
Simson reminded that in recent months, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure have increased in nature and intensity. This has resulted in the destruction of power plants, heating stations, backup generators and storage facilities. She stressed that many facilities have been attacked repeatedly by Russian troops, “making reconstruction a Sisyphean task”.
The European Commissioner expressed concern about the energy situation in Ukraine, stressing that Russia has destroyed or seized about half of the power generation capacity Ukraine needs – 9 GW.
Simson warned of the potentially serious consequences of a power shortage, including problems with water, sewage and heating, which could make some parts of Ukraine uninhabitable in the winter.
“Elderly people, children and vulnerable groups will be most affected. Where the electricity load has already reached a critical point, some areas may collapse under the weight of additional demand from displaced people. The decline in economic activity will lead to a decline in budget revenues, which will increase Ukraine’s budget deficit and reduce its ability to support the national struggle for freedom. The risk of a humanitarian catastrophe is high,” she stressed.
Simson therefore called for increased support for Ukraine in the energy sector, suggesting six key areas of action:
- Restoration of damaged energy facilities.
- Supplying small generators.
- Installation of solar panels for important facilities.
- Increasing electricity imports from Europe.
- Improving interconnection at the borders.
- Strengthening air defence near critical energy infrastructure.
Situation in the Ukrainian energy sector
on 29 March 2024, Russia resumed its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, carrying out the most massive shelling in the entire period of the full-scale war. In particular, DniproHES and other Ukrainian energy facilities were hit. Since then, Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
For example, the Russians destroyed the Trypillia and Zmiiv thermal power plants, causing Centrenergo to lose 100% of its generation. Also, 5 of DTEK’s 6 thermal power plants were severely damaged.
After that, blackouts began again in Ukraine, Ukrenergo introduced blackout schedules and the government raised electricity tariffs by 60% at once.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to build two new units at the Khmelnytsky NPP and has already received the approval of the relevant parliamentary committee. The Razumkov Centre has criticised these plans, but some experts believe that only traitors or scoundrels are against the construction of nuclear power plants today.