Expert does not rule out return of power outages and names cities at risk
Kyiv • UNN
Due to heat exceeding 35 degrees, power restrictions of up to four hours are possible in Ukraine. The most difficult situation is expected in Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih.
In Ukraine, emergency and scheduled power outages may be reinstated this summer if air temperatures exceed +35 degrees Celsius. This was stated on May 27 by Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Industry Research Center, during a briefing titled "Energy Sector: Restoration of Damaged Infrastructure and Preparation for Autumn," as reported by UNN.
At the same time, the expert offered reassurance: potential outages should not be as critical for the population as those during the winter.
Details
According to Oleksandr Kharchenko, it is currently impossible to accurately predict the situation in the energy system for the summer, as it will depend on a number of factors. These include weather conditions and potential attacks by the Russian Armed Forces on energy infrastructure.
"I cannot predict what the attacks will be, but if temperatures reach 35+, then objectively, restrictions are possible during certain hours. I don't know if they will break through the barrier of restrictions for businesses or if the population will have to be restricted; I don't know, and it's impossible to predict right now," Kharchenko said.
He noted that even if power restrictions are introduced, current estimates suggest they should not be large-scale.
"But even if something does happen, it won't be that critical; these won't be some kind of catastrophic restrictions. It will be 4 hours a day maximum; I don't think it will be anything more serious," the expert added.
At the same time, Kharchenko pointed out that in certain cities, the situation could be more difficult than the national average. This applies, in particular, to Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih.
"In Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih, the situation is specific, and if there is extreme heat, there could be greater problems than the average across Ukraine. This must be acknowledged," he emphasized.
What will happen to energy-dependent businesses this summer
The Director of the Energy Industry Research Center also mentioned that Ukrainian businesses are becoming more actively interested in energy independence. According to him, medium-sized businesses are already moving from talk to practical solutions, although some companies are only now starting to look for replacements for generators.
"Businesses are now very actively looking for alternatives to generators. To be honest, I'm laughing a bit inside because, in my world, our clients—at the center and so on—we started all this back in 2023, and those people who have been working with us since 2023 have long and reliably forgotten the word 'generators'," the expert said.
He noted that for some enterprises, the transition to more autonomous solutions should have started earlier. This involves creating their own microgrids, installing batteries and solar panels, as well as using gas cogeneration.
"I am discovering with wide eyes that people who, in my mind, had passed this stage long ago and should have forgotten about generators—building microgrids for their enterprises, installing batteries, solar panels, gas cogeneration—they haven't yet properly engaged in this," Kharchenko noted.
According to him, the interest of medium-sized businesses in energy independence is already gradually translating into real actions.
"The further we go, the more I see that the direct interest of medium-sized business is definitely being converted into real actions," he said.
At the same time, large businesses, according to Kharchenko's assessment, are moving more cautiously, as this involves significantly larger consumption volumes and, accordingly, larger investments.
"Large business is still thinking because large consumers have to make large investments. If your enterprise consumes 100 MW, then you need a fairly serious energy facility to cover that consumption," the expert explained.
He added that at the level of large enterprises, serious discussions have already begun regarding the construction of their own energy capacities. At the same time, this creates new challenges, as such systems will need to be managed effectively to ensure a stable and high-quality power supply.