Ukraine significantly reduced electricity imports and increased exports

In September 2026, Ukraine more than halved its electricity imports while increasing exports by almost a quarter. The country remained a net exporter of electricity for the third consecutive month. However, in early October, due to new Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure, scheduled power outages returned in some regions.

According to DiXi Group analytical center, based on Energy Map platform data, electricity imports in September decreased by 58.6% compared to August, to 76.1 thousand MWh. This is the lowest monthly figure since November 2023.

Electricity exports, on the other hand, grew by 24.4% to 473.7 thousand MWh, reaching the largest volume in the past year. Thus, electricity sales abroad exceeded purchases by 6.2 times.

During September, Ukraine exported electricity every day. The largest daily sales volume was recorded on September 11 at 23.4 thousand MWh. At the same time, year-on-year exports remained 25.4% lower than in September 2025.

The main reason for the import reduction was seasonal decline in consumption. September turned out cooler than August, so the need for air conditioning decreased, and the heating season had not yet begun.

At the same time, export volumes were influenced by weather conditions. Due to cooling, rain and cloudiness on September 21–25, solar power generation decreased, which also reduced external sales. After the return of sunny weather, exports recovered.

Another factor was the reduction in electricity consumption by Ukrainian industry. According to former Energy Minister Olha Buslavets, in August industrial enterprises consumed 23% less electricity than a year earlier, and metallurgical enterprises 45% less.

The reduction in industrial consumption, particularly as a result of Russian attacks on energy-intensive enterprises, may have contributed to the increase in electricity volumes available for export. External sales grew most noticeably during night hours—by 35.5% compared to 17.3% at other times of day.

Ukraine exported the most electricity to Hungary—232.5 thousand MWh, or 49.1% of the total volume. Moldova came second with 152.5 thousand MWh (32.2%), and Romania third with 81.6 thousand MWh (17.2%).

Hungary also remained the main supplier of imported electricity, accounting for 50.9% of all purchases. It was followed by Poland (22.4%) and Romania (19.4%).

An additional factor in favor of exports was the price difference. In September, the average day-ahead electricity price on the Ukrainian market was 116.2 euros per MWh. In Poland it reached 149.8 euros, in Slovakia 163.8 euros, and in Romania 174.4 euros.

At the same time, the competitiveness of Ukrainian exports on the EU market is limited by the CBAM carbon adjustment mechanism, which has been in effect since early 2026 and creates additional costs for electricity suppliers.

Despite high export figures in September, in early October the situation in the Ukrainian power system became more complicated due to intensified Russian attacks.

On September 30, Russia carried out a massive missile and drone strike on energy facilities, in particular damaging equipment at the Trypilska TPP. Emergency power outages were then applied in Kyiv and several regions.

Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi stated that Russia moved to massive combined attacks on the energy infrastructure. According to him, strikes continued almost daily since the beginning of summer, but the September 30 attack was the largest since the end of the previous heating season.

As a result of subsequent shelling, the electricity supply situation continued to deteriorate. As of October 8, Ukrenergo introduced hourly outage schedules in some regions ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 stages. The restrictions are in effect throughout the day—from 00:00 to 23:59.

Power limitation schedules for industry and business are also in effect throughout the day. In addition, on October 7, emergency outages were introduced in some regions, during which regular schedules were temporarily suspended.

Ukrenergo explains the restrictions as consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities. The company warns that the situation may change, so consumers are advised to check the schedules on official resources of local oblenergos.

Thus, September external electricity trade figures reflect the situation before the new wave of massive strikes. High export volumes for the previous month do not mean there are no power supply problems in October: damage to power plants and networks can cause restrictions even when the overall production-consumption balance remains relatively favorable.

Based on materials from: DiXi Group / Energy Map, Ukrenergo, Serhiy Koretskyi