Ukraine's electricity consumption is growing rapidly amid cold snap: Ukrainians are urged to save

Electricity consumption in Ukraine is growing rapidly due to the cold snap and the end of the holidays. Ukrainians are urged to conserve electricity. UNN reports this with reference to NPC Ukrenergo.

Consumption and generation

"Electricity consumption is gradually increasing. The reasons are the end of the holidays, the beginning of the working week and the cold snap," Ukrenergo said.

Yesterday, January 2, the daily maximum consumption was in the evening. It was 13.8% higher than on Tuesday, December 26. Today, January 3, the level of consumption as of 10:00 is 14% higher than at 10:00 yesterday, January 2.

As indicated, such a sharp increase in consumption puts a significant additional burden on the power system. To cover the rapidly increasing consumption, at least 6 power units will need to be brought online quickly. For power plants that are still recovering from the massive missile attacks last winter, this is a very sharp increase in load that could lead to technological disruptions.

"To help the power grid operate during this difficult period, it is enough to shift the use of energy-intensive appliances from the evening peak hours of 16:00-19:00 to the night or morning. Please consume electricity sparingly!" - Ukrenergo noted

At the same time, it is stated that "at present, the electricity generated by power plants of all types is sufficient to ensure the energy supply of all legal and household consumers".

Yesterday morning, in order to maintain the balance between production and consumption, the operation of renewable energy power plants was limited for 30 minutes . This was due to a sharp drop in consumption due to damage to Ukrenergo and regional power company grids caused by a massive missile attack.

Export/import

Exports are currently carried out during nighttime hours of minimum consumption to Romania and Moldova. Electricity is imported during the day from Slovakia and Romania.

De-energization

The Kyiv power grid has reportedly restored the operation of equipment that was damaged during a massive rocket attack on January 2. In Kyiv and Kyiv region , power has been restored to all consumers that were cut off during the massive rocket attack on January 2.

As of the morning of , 412 settlements remain without electricity due to hostilities and other reasons. The shelling caused new damage to the power grids in Kharkiv region.

Due to bad weather, 4 settlements were cut off from electricity in the morning - all in Donetsk region for more than a day. 

Due to technical damage, consumers in Chernihiv region are without electricity.