Kyiv anticipates 14-hour power outages: what an energy expert says about winter.

According to ТСН: The electricity supply situation in Kyiv is expected to be complicated this winter, and consumers should be prepared for constant fluctuations and prolonged outages. The intensity of the restrictions will depend on new missile strikes from Russian troops and severe frosts.

According to People's Deputy Oleksii Kucherenko, Russian shelling damaged an electrical substation near Kyiv, complicating the acquisition of additional power for the capital. Kyiv is currently critically dependent on two nuclear power plants — Rivne and Khmelnytskyi. While the city will not be completely without electricity, there is a possibility that Kyiv residents may be without power for 14-15 hours a day.

Kyiv will have light, but very little

Kucherenko noted: 'Kyiv will have light. But it's like with a glass of water — is it half empty or half full? Therefore, for some part of the day, Kyiv residents will have light, and for part of it, they will be without. A realistic option, as it seems to me, is half a day with light and half without. It all depends on whether there will be repeated strikes from the aggressor, and unfortunately, there will definitely be.'

He emphasized that the most difficult situation arises when the energy system is gradually restored after attacks, and another strike is already on the horizon: 'This is when the energy system is already more or less restored after previous strikes, and you are already waiting for another strike. And this is the scariest part. Therefore, there will be a certain deficit of electricity for Kyiv throughout the winter. It will be approximately 4 GW, which is roughly 30% of the needed amount of electricity.'

Electricity distribution in manual mode

Another 20% of electricity is consumed by the city's critical infrastructure. In such conditions, as Kucherenko notes, the fight for the resource that is lacking will continue between various categories of consumers: 'We have a conditional 50% from which we will have to 'dance'. Therefore, this resource, which is lacking, will continue to be fought over, possibly transparently, and possibly covertly.'

Economic aspect and pricing

Kucherenko reminded about the important economic aspect of outages: 'Everyone focused on the technical aspect, namely the power outage schedules. But there is also an economic aspect. For our electricity price to be 4.32 hryvnias, someone needs to cover its market cost, which today reaches 12-15 hryvnias per kilowatt.'

Why so much light in shopping malls?

Oleksii Kucherenko agrees that the presence of light in shopping malls and business centers in dark Kyiv causes dissatisfaction: 'I myself am annoyed by the glow of shopping centers when I see them, but they are the ones who pay the market price for electricity — 15 hryvnias per kilowatt.'

Threat of frosts and absence of blackout

However, the parliamentarian emphasizes: 'There will be no classical blackout in Kyiv.' The situation may worsen in the event of severe frosts lasting several days. Ukrenergo stated that severe frosts will severely impact the power outage schedules.

What will happen to Kyiv and why are there 'swings'

The expert believes that there is no better scenario for Kyiv: 'Everything depends on the further actions of the Russians. The situation in Kyiv improves after each shelling, but if there is another attack, Kyiv will return to schedules of 3-4 queues. Such 'swings' are unpleasant for everyone.'

People have forgotten that there is a war in the country

Kucherenko also emphasized that the absence of electricity is a consequence of war: 'The main goal of the enemy is for us all to sit without electricity. And for some reason, our people think that the war is somewhere out there, in Pokrovsk, while here one can walk in cafes.'

Will outages become fair?

Oleksii Kucherenko noted the need for control over the fairness of outage distribution: 'Of course, people are very annoyed when their house has been without light for 14 hours, while in the neighboring one — only 6-8 hours. This issue should be monitored at the local level.'

Thus, the electricity supply situation in Kyiv remains complicated, and residents must be prepared for possible difficulties. It is important to understand that the country's energy infrastructure is undergoing serious trials, and the duration of this difficult situation will directly depend on the actions of the aggressor. Each of us must also consciously approach electricity consumption to support overall stability in the city.