Ukraine’s electricity imports hit record high amid Russian attacks on energy facilities

On March 26, Ukraine is set to import a record volume of electricity since the beginning of the year.

According to the Ukrainian electricity operator Ukrenergo, Ukraine plans no energy exports at this time, Rubryka reports.

"During the day, [we will import electricity] from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Moldova. The total volume is 18,649 MW/hour, with a maximum capacity of up to 1,537 MW in certain hours," the company said in the announcement.

As of Tuesday morning, power outages were recorded in 69 towns in the southern Odesa region due to weather conditions, and 405 settlements were left without electricity due to hostilities and other reasons.

"There are new power outages in the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions due to hostilities. Due to technological damage, there are power outages in the Kirovohrad and Sumy regions," said the press service.

The energy company stressed that the power system was operating stably, and a deficit was not anticipated.

Electricity supply in Ukraine amid Russian attacks

On March 22, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine, targeting energy facilities. Overall, the Russians released over 150 drones and missiles of various types across Ukraine. Air defense downed 55 "Shahed" drones and 37 missiles.

According to energy officials, Ukrenergo is working around the clock to eliminate the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks. Clearance of debris continues at all affected facilities. Energy workers recover the facilities where the State Emergency Service permits.

Ukrenergo specialists restored part of the equipment at one of the affected substations in the southern city of Odesa. This helped increase the capacity of high-voltage networks to transmit electricity and reduce consumption restrictions. About 50% of electric transport is back in operation in the city, and household consumers are subject to hourly disconnection schedules.

There are currently no consumption restrictions in the western city of Khmelnytskyi and the east-central city of Kryvyi Rih; if energy consumption increases, energy facilities will be forced to apply disconnection schedules.

The situation remains most challenging in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Energy workers are working on phased recovery of consumers using backup schemes.

Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko stated that Ukraine would seek compensation from Russia for losses in the energy sector through courts.