"Ukrenergo" tasked with strengthening substation protection and reserves before winter

NPC Ukrenergo must strengthen the protection of key substations, accelerate the construction of protective structures, and build up additional reserves of critical equipment for the autumn-winter period.

This was announced by Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal on Telegram following discussions on preparing the power system for winter.

According to the minister, one of the priorities remains the physical protection of substations against Russian missile and drone attacks. A separate task was set to simplify procedures related to the construction of shelters and protective structures to speed up the implementation of such projects at energy facilities.

Another area is the formation of equipment reserves that can be quickly used to replace damaged elements of the power system. This is especially important for large high-voltage equipment, the production and delivery of which can take a long time.

Ukrenergo is already continuing the installation of anti-drone protection for key high-voltage equipment and is building up repair stocks. The company has emphasized that given the intensity of Russian attacks, the volume of such reserves before winter should be significant.

In recent months, Russian forces have again intensified strikes on both generation facilities and substations. Because of this, preparing the power system for winter includes not only repairs but also the ability to quickly replace destroyed equipment and restore electricity transmission after attacks.

Ukraine is also using international assistance for the construction of protective structures and procurement of equipment. In June, an EBRD loan programme of 90 million euros was agreed for Ukrenergo. The funds are earmarked, in particular, for restoring grid infrastructure, protective structures, reconstruction of three large 330 kV substations, and procurement of critical equipment.

In addition, Germany remains one of the largest donors to Ukraine's energy system. According to Ukrenergo, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the company has received about 323 million euros from the German side for restoring grids, strengthening physical protection of substations, and purchasing equipment for emergency restoration work.

The company itself notes that infrastructure protection and the availability of an emergency reserve are becoming tasks of comparable importance: even if a facility is damaged, the energy system must be able to return it to operation as quickly as possible and reduce the duration of possible outages.

Preparation for winter is taking place against the backdrop of continued high electricity consumption and ongoing Russian attacks. Ukrenergo warns that the situation in the energy system can change rapidly depending on damage to facilities and the volume of available generation.

Based on materials from: Denys Shmyhal, Ukrenergo