Concrete sarcophagi protect transformers even after 20 Shahed hits - Minister of Energy
Photo: Denys Shmyhal (president.gov.ua)
Protective structures have been built at almost all substations, and they are capable of withstanding up to 20 Shahed drones and even missile strikes, states Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal during the government’s question time.
"Protection has been built at the vast majority, virtually all substations. Practically every one has second-level protection — I mean that almost every concrete sarcophagus has already withstood Shahed strikes; some sarcophagi have withstood up to 20 Shahed hits, and there have also been missile strikes," Shmyhal said.
According to him, second-level passive protection has thus proven its effectiveness, as it preserves transformer equipment.
"For a price comparison: one missile for the Patriot (air defense system - ed.) costs about $3 million. One second-level protection structure costs less than $3 million. Accordingly, using two or three missiles to intercept a ballistic missile heading for a transformer is, of course, more expensive economically than building passive protection," he added.
In addition, the energy minister noted that all facilities protected with concrete and buried underground are more cost-effective than actively defending such sites with air defense systems. Moreover, active protection carries a certain probability that a strike will still get through.
"Therefore, protection is cost-effective, and it needs to be continued," Shmyhal concluded.
Energy emergency
On January 14, Ukraine decided to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. The decision followed a series of massive Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
As a result of these attacks, Kyiv has been hit the hardest. As of January 16, emergency power outages are in effect in the capital. Some consumers have also been without heating for nearly a week.
In addition, Ukraine is convening a meeting of the energy Ramstein format (Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting - ed.) amid the difficult electricity situation caused by Russian strikes and severe cold.
