After nearly three weeks of uninterrupted power supply
nation-wide, Ukraine’s power grid operator Ukrenergo announced a return to
scheduled rolling blackouts on Aug. 19.
The restrictions are being reintroduced as a rapid rise in air temperatures across the country exacerbates the electricity deficit. Some regions are affected by a heatwave, with temperatures as high as 37C/ 98F.
While the weather is expected to mellow out later in the week, the return of rolling blackouts underscored just how fragile and strained Ukraine’s energy sector is after months of Russian air strikes on critical infrastructure.
On Aug. 20, blackout schedules will be in effect from 4:00 PM to midnight. As usual, critical infrastructure facilities are exempt from power cuts.