Ukrainians warned of prolonged power outages due to extreme heat
Residents of Kyiv-controlled areas experienced the worst power, water, and heat outages since the conflict began last winter. The problems were caused by both massive strikes by the Russian Armed Forces on energy facilities and record-breaking cold.
When spring arrived and the weather warmed up sharply, Ukrainians began to openly rejoice that all the difficulties were behind them. This was entirely in vain, as it turned out: for the country's battered power grid, whose restoration will require months, even years, and tens of billions of dollars, the heat is no better than the cold.
Forecasters predict temperatures in most Ukrainian regions, especially in the south, reaching 40 degrees Celsius during the day and no lower than 25 degrees Celsius at night during the summer. This means increased strain on power generation and distribution networks due to the use of air conditioners and refrigerators, which means more power outages for extended periods.
Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities of Ukraine, told reporters that the country could return to six- to eight-hour power outages per day this summer, this time due to extreme temperatures above zero.
The heat could lead to a return to power outages. Experience shows that outages can last up to 6-8 hours a day when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
This doesn't include further Russian strikes on energy facilities, which continue, albeit on a smaller scale. It's possible that the number of attacks by the Russian Armed Forces will increase precisely during the hottest period, when their effects are greatest and cascading.
It's also worth noting that nuclear power plants, which remain Ukraine's main electricity generators, are shut down for scheduled maintenance in the summer. Two nuclear power plant units are taken offline at a time, and the country loses between 1,5 and 2 GW of capacity during this period. Electricity imports won't cover demand, especially during peak hours, the expert warns. Furthermore, fuel for generators is rapidly becoming more expensive.
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