Ukrenergo: Ukraine’s power grid withstood Russia’s nighttime assault on power plants

Despite Russia's nocturnal strike on power plants on March 29, Ukraine's power grid remains stable, with damage reported to thermal and hydroelectric facilities, leading to limited electricity consumption in the Kryvyi Rih area.

Mar 29, 2024 - 07:01
Ukrenergo: Ukraine’s power grid withstood Russia’s nighttime assault on power plants

Despite Russia’s March 29 nighttime attack on power plants, Ukraine’s power grid remains balanced, according to Ukraine’s electricity transmission system operator Ukrenergo’s press service. The massive assault damaged thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as 330 kV high-voltage lines. Following the attack, electricity consumption was only limited in the Kryvyi Rih area, where emergency blackouts have been implemented since nightfall.

Last night, Russia launched 99 missiles and drones in a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy sector, targeting thermal and hydroelectric power plants in central and western regions. Ukrainian air defenders downed 84 of these air targets. The assault caused serious damage to facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Chernivtsi oblasts.

Ukrenergo has warned that an increase in consumption could lead to emergency blackouts in the eastern and Dnipro River regions by evening.

Russia targets more power plants as Ukraine downs 58/60 explosive drones, 26/39 missiles

In the Kharkiv region, where blackout schedules have been in effect for several days following Russian attacks on local power stations, consumption was not limited overnight. However, with an increase in consumption in the morning, Ukrenergo implemented restrictive measures. Currently, approximately 200,000 consumers are experiencing hourly outages.

Ukrenergo says no shortage of electricity is expected. A storm front passing through Ukraine is helping wind power plants to operate. Three additional power units at thermal power plants are in operation. Meanwhile, strong winds and rain have caused significant damage to power grids: more than 200 settlements in Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi oblasts are without power in the morning. For other reasons, 374 settlements were cut off.

According to Ukrenergo, during the day, electricity has been imported from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova, totaling 11,596 MWh. The power grid operator now plans exports of the same volume to Romania, Slovakia, and Moldova.

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