Minister: Warming weather helps reduce Ukraine's energy shortage

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Energy Minister, said that the warming weather after the ice-breaking frosts in Ukraine has?significantly?reduced a power shortage caused by Russian attacks on?Ukrainian?power?grids.

Shmyhal told the parliament's Energy Committee that the current power shortage totaled 4.3 to 4.5 Gigawatts compared to up to 6 Gigawatts during a colder spell, Interfax Ukraine reported.

As of today, February 12, the forecast maximum consumption is 16,4 gigawatts. That is what the economy would like consume. "Unfortunately, our capacity is only 12.3 gigawatts," said he.

Shmyhal stated that Ukraine imports nearly 2 gigawatts. Three Ukrainian nuclear plants produce 7.5 gigawatts and thermal plants receive 0.85 gigawatts.

Last week, Russia again attacked Ukraine's electricity system, striking both thermal power plants and?key?electrical?substations. This forced?nuclear power plants to reduce power production.

The full-scale invasion by Russia of Ukraine in February 2022 will include attacks on power plants, the 'energy transmission system' and the 'gas sector. Moscow claims it wants to weaken Ukraine's fighting ability. (Reporting and editing by Timothy Heritage, Pavel Polityuk)

(source: Reuters)