Ukraine's energy system is entering winter with full readiness - Ministry of Energy
Photo: Herman Galushchenko, head of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Planned repairs at Ukraine’s power plants were completed on time. According to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Herman Galushchenko, quoted by The New York Times, the energy system is entering the winter season with "the highest possible level of readiness."
As NYT recalls, in an interview, former head of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi claimed that the dispute with the Ministry of Energy concerned the strategy for ensuring the security of energy supply. The former official advocated for Ukraine to build dozens of small private power plants across the country to make the energy system less vulnerable to terrorist strikes from Russia.
However, Kudrytskyi's position allegedly contradicted that of Galushchenko, who supported centralizing state-owned companies.
"By the time Ukraine’s government adopted a plan to decentralize its network, in mid-July, experts and diplomats said that it was too late to bolster energy supplies significantly before winter," the agency adds.
In written responses to the NYT, Galushchenko denied rumors that he allegedly insisted on Kudrytskyi's dismissal and added that he has no influence on Ukrenergo's supervisory board.
According to the minister, claims that infighting undermined Ukraine’s energy policy are also false. He noted that the planned repairs at power plants were "completed on time," and Ukraine’s energy system is entering the winter season "with the highest possible level of readiness."
Attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Since the beginning of the year, Russia has carried out nine massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, leading to power shortages during peak consumption hours.
This summer, amid shelling and increased temperatures, electricity outages for residential consumers were restored. However, by early autumn, the situation with restrictions had stabilized.
The Center for Countering Disinformation published several possible scenarios regarding electricity supply in Ukraine during the fall-winter period. According to the "optimistic" scenario, electricity will be provided for 12 hours a day.
As noted by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, head of the National Security and Defense Council, the Russian Federation may resume large-scale strikes at the start of the heating season.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the gas and coal stocks in warehouses should be sufficient for the winter. In particular, preparations for the heating season are almost complete.
