Ukraine's energy grid under siege as winter approaches
The target of Russia's massive missile attack on Ukraine is the energy system. Emergency power cuts are being implemented, according to the Ukrainian Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, who announced this on Sunday morning.
"Another massive attack on the energy system is underway. The enemy is attacking generation and transmission facilities across Ukraine," wrote Halushchenko on Facebook.
"The transmission system operator has urgently implemented emergency power cuts. Where possible, rescuers and energy workers are already working to mitigate the effects," added Halushchenko.
The power failed in some districts of Odesa, in southern Ukraine. Trams and trolleybuses in the city have stopped. "Currently, all electric transport in the city is not operational," reported Odesa's mayor, Hennadiy Trukhanov.
Huge losses for Ukraine
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said in May that Ukraine's losses in the energy sector, caused by Russia's massive attacks, have amounted to over £820 million, admitting that the situation in this sector is challenging.
Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, argued in September that Ukraine's energy system survived the last two winters, but "this year's will be its toughest test yet."
The IEA emphasised that Ukraine has lost "more than two-thirds" of its electricity production capacity and suggests in its report several solutions that could help repair power plants destroyed or damaged by Russia.
The agency called on European countries to expedite the "delivery of equipment and individual components" to repair power plants and to increase the capacity to import electricity and gas from the European Union.
The IEA estimated that approximately £24.5 billion will be needed to repair the destroyed power plants and modernise the energy network.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine sourced half of its energy from nuclear power stations, 23% from coal-fired, and 9% from gas-fired.
