Dozens of energy grid facilities, including thermal and hydroelectric power plants, the main networks of Ukrenergo (Ukraine's national energy company), and regional energy distribution networks, have been damaged due to a large-scale Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
According to Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national power distribution regulator, the most severe situations are in Kharkiv, Odesa, Kirovohrad, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
"The energy grid has maintained its integrity. The Ukrenergo dispatch centre is working on stabilising its operation. Ukrenergo’s repair teams and regional energy distribution companies started emergency restoration work immediately after the all-clear was given," Ukrenergo reported.
"The 750 kV high-voltage line, the main power line for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), has been taken out of operation. Currently, the ZNPP is being powered only by the backup 330 kV line fixed by repair teams from Ukrenergo on 14 March."
Electricity consumption is subject to emergency restrictions in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts.
Power is being imported from the energy grids of Romania, Slovakia, and Poland to ensure the safe operation of the domestic energy grid.
"Emergency restoration work will continue around the clock until full power is restored to consumers," Ukrenergo stated.
Massive Attack on Ukrainian Energy Facilities
Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo, informed that on the morning of March 22, Russia carried out the largest combined attack on the Ukrainian energy system since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
He detailed that the power supply in the affected areas would be promptly restored in three stages: the restoration of power to critical infrastructure, household consumers, and finally industrial consumers.
The Russians hit the Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where firefighters are working to extinguish the fire. Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine’s largest hydropower generating company, has reported no threat of a dam breach.
The Russians conducted two direct hits on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant (HPP). Ihor Syrota, General Director of PJSC Ukrhydroenergo, reported that the HPP-2 generating station is in critical condition, and it is unknown if it will be able to operate.
Emergency rolling blackouts have been imposed in several Ukrainian region.
