Expert on winter: power outages may become prolonged due to strikes on transformers.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, with the onset of winter, the situation with power outages will become complicated due to increased electricity consumption caused by lower air temperatures.

Energy Situation

Energy expert Mykhailo Honchar noted that Russian forces have delivered numerous strikes on high-voltage transformers, which require lengthy repairs. Restoring this equipment may take over a year.

“To replace them, it is necessary to order, manufacture, and deliver equipment, which takes a long time. As experience after the winter of 2022–2023 shows, this can take a whole year, at best, or even longer.”

Correcting the Situation

The expert also emphasized that within a few days, a reconnection may be possible to ensure power supply. It is important not only to return to the absence of outages but also to a stable energy supply schedule.

Honchar stressed that it is critically important before winter to ensure the functionality of systems that cannot operate normally without electricity for an extended time. Such systems include water supply, sewage, and communication.

“We are seeing strikes on CHP plants. They may then proceed to attacks on water utilities, railways, transport enterprises, trams, and the metro.”

Prospects for Stability

Energy expert Hennadiy Ryabtsev noted that stable outage schedules will remain if there is no increase in new generation. He emphasized that outages can only be reduced through systemic solutions, for example, by encouraging businesses to connect their own generation.

At the same time, Anatoliy Zamulko, the acting head of the State Energy Regulation Commission, believes that the deterioration of weather conditions is currently not critical for implementing emergency outages, but the threat from hostile attacks remains primary.

Amid these challenges, it is important to understand that winter may become a real test for Ukraine's energy system. The government and energy companies must find ways to ensure stable supplies to avoid serious crisis situations in the cold months. Preparing for the winter period and ensuring that essential infrastructure systems have electricity will be priorities in the near future.