Ukraine has almost fully restored thermal generation enterprises damaged by Russia – infrastructure minister
Ukraine has restored almost all thermal generation enterprises that were damaged due to missile and drone attacks in autumn and winter.
The Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Reconstruction, Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, reported this.
"Heat generation enterprises have been restored by almost 100%. At the same time, we are working on providing reserve capacities in case of force majeure situations," Kubrakov emphasized.
He also informed that over 65% of the total of more than 700 heat supply facilities damaged by the Russians had been restored.
"In general, as of today, the level of preparation of housing and communal services facilities for stable operation in the autumn-winter period of 2023/2024 is about 60%. This is a basic indicator of readiness for this moment of the year," Kubrakov noted.
He expressed confidence that Ukraine will be technically 100% ready for the start of the heating season already by October 1, provided that all interested parties work together.
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Earlier, Ukrenergo [electricity transmission system operator in Ukraine and the sole operator of the country's high-voltage transmission lines; it is 100% owned by the Ukrainian government – ed.] talked about the readiness of the power system for winter and the prospects of blackouts.
According to the chairman of the company's board, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Ukrenergo is preparing for the worst scenario in winter, with repeated attacks on the country's power system. Still, he is absolutely sure that the main network will be ready to work without restrictions during the next heating season.
At the same time, he specified that the Ukrainian energy system will not only be prepared for winter but will also have a margin of safety.
Among other things, according to Kudrytskyi, certain non-standard engineering solutions are already being used, and backup power schemes are being created, which will allow to provide consumers electricity in winter in case of damage to the main ones.
According to him, considering last winter's experience, the protocols for responding to emergency events will be updated: how to restore power to consumers, in what sequence, and how to respond to emergencies.