Second level of protection for energy facilities underway at over 210 sites, Energy Minister says
This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during Q&A session in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“The first level of protection against debris and indirect strikes has been completed at all priority energy facilities. The installation of the second level of protection is continuing at 84 substations and 134 critical elements. The work is being carried out by Ukrenergo and the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, with completion rates at 80% and 95% respectively,” Shmyhal said.
He emphasized that without the passive protection already in place, the situation in the energy system after Russian attacks would have been more difficult than it is now. In addition, building protective structures is an ongoing process because they can also be damaged during attacks.
Shmyhal added that protective measures are also being implemented by Energoatom, Centrenergo, Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, Ukrhydroenergo, Naftogaz of Ukraine, regional electricity distribution companies, and private power generation firms.
“The total funding required amounts to UAH 35 billion. We are actively working with partners to raise this amount,” the minister said.
He also stated that a project involving critical infrastructure enterprises in the air defense system is working successfully.
Shmyhal added that during martial law the procedures for connecting new equipment to the grid have been simplified as much as possible.
“The government has maximally simplified all procedures for connecting to the grid during the war. I am confident that today these approaches are among the simplest in Europe,” Shmyhal said.
According to him, bureaucratic obstacles have been reduced to virtually zero, leaving only the technical and security requirements necessary for the proper functioning of the power grid.
As reported earlier, Shmyhal said that the stockpile of energy equipment to be accumulated before next winter should be three times greater than the amount destroyed by Russia during the current heating season.
Photo: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
