Vitalii Zaichenko, chief dispatcher of Ukrenergo, an electricity transmission system operator in Ukraine, confirmed that Russia is preparing for new attacks on Ukraine's energy system, which means that the risk of a blackout is quite real.
The energy system of Ukraine may again come under the blows of Russia
According to Zaichenko, consumer restrictions are also possible, as the situation continues to get more complicated.
A week ago we were literally "on the edge". We can say with confidence that we will not be able to balance like this by the end of winter.
Ukrainian intelligence has repeatedly stated that Russia is stockpiling missiles.
In addition, the supply of weapons to the aggressor country from South Korea and Iran does not stop.
It is absolutely impossible to guarantee that there will be no blackout, the shots can be completely different. However, I do not see any risks for a large-scale systemic accident.
As Vitalii Zaichenko notes, hacker attacks on Ukrenergo from Russia take place every day, by the hundreds.
However, so far it is possible to repel them successfully.
Do Ukrainians need to prepare for restrictions?
The chief dispatcher of Ukrenergo draws attention to that, for now, there are two scenarios: restrictions or import of electricity.
On January 11, another meeting was held in the government regarding ensuring the import of electricity in accordance with the resolution on directed import of electricity.
It is about when a business imports certain volumes for its own needs and this gives it the opportunity to avoid outages guaranteed.
If there are no imports and no emergency assistance, then the only option for the dispatcher to balance the system is to introduce restrictions. In this case, industrial enterprises are the first to fall under the restrictions. We would not like it, because industry is the lifeblood of the economy. The population will also suffer if the enterprises stand still, but they are offered an alternative.
