Could freezing temperatures trigger emergency power cuts in Ukraine? Energy officials respond
Ukraine’s State Energy Supervision Service has reassured the public that cold weather alone is unlikely to trigger emergency power outages in most areas.
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Power outage / © vsim.ua
Falling temperatures and worsening weather conditions are not currently seen as a major risk for emergency power cuts.
Anatoliy Zamulko, Acting Head of the State Energy Supervision Service, said this during a «We — Ukraine» broadcast.
Weather under control
According to Anatoliy Zamulko, current meteorological conditions are typical for a Ukrainian winter, and the power system is prepared for such temperature fluctuations. Although electricity consumption has risen slightly, this increase is not currently critical for grid stability.
«Weather-related emergency outages could only happen if there are power failures in the distribution networks of system operators due to some unusual situation. In most parts of Ukraine, no outages are expected, because the energy system is ready for such changes, ” he said.
Shelling poses the main threat
The agency chief also stressed that the situation is made more difficult by a shortage of power generation, which has already required the use of limitation schedules. Yet the primary danger comes not from freezing temperatures, but from enemy attacks.
«The other case is shelling, when we truly need to implement emergency outages to restore the system, ” Anatoliy Zamulko said.