Despite Russian attacks, Kyiv manages power outages as Ukraine boosts energy recovery – Shmyhal
Despite the difficult situation caused by low temperatures and the aftermath of Russian strikes, Kyiv managed to adhere to all electricity outage schedules. At the same time, Ukraine is strengthening cooperation with its partners to restore the energy system.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Telegram by First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal.
“We held a meeting of the Headquarters. In Kyiv, the situation remains difficult due to low temperatures,” Shmyhal said.
According to him, specialists are working around the clock to eliminate the consequences of the latest Russian attacks.
“Energy workers are operating 24/7 to deal with the aftermath of recent Russian strikes. At the same time, today the capital managed to stick to all outage schedules,” he emphasized.
The minister noted that Ukraine is intensifying technical cooperation with international partners to restore damaged equipment.
“We are strengthening technical cooperation with partners and exploring the possibility of obtaining additional equipment from a number of countries where thermal power plants have been shut down – they could serve as donors of spare parts needed to restore our energy system,” Shmyhal said.
He also informed about incoming international assistance.
“Four powerful generators have also been received from the Belgian development agency Enabel. They were purchased and delivered in the shortest possible time – just three weeks after the request from the Ministry of Energy. In total, 500 generators from the EU are currently on their way to Ukraine,” Shmyhal added.
According to Shmyhal, around 140 tonnes of equipment to support the energy system are planned to be shipped to recipients this week. “We thank all partners for their assistance. I thank our energy workers, railway workers, heating specialists, rescuers, and everyone who is helping people,” the minister concluded.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the most difficult energy situation remains in Kyiv, where more than 1,400 buildings are still without heat. The government is initiating an increase in the scale of the “Warmth Packages” program.
During the night and morning of February 7, Russian forces attacked energy facilities in eight regions of Ukraine.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that Russian strikes hit 750 kV and 330 kV substations and overhead power lines, which form the backbone of Ukraine’s power grid, as well as the Burshtyn and Dobrotvir thermal power plants. Nuclear power plant units were temporarily unloaded by staff.