Ukrenergo warns of increased power outages amid heatwave

"This is the result of temperatures exceeding 30C during the day, which caused consumption to increase by almost 5% compared to the previous day, which was a weekend," the message read.

Electricity imports from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Moldova are planned for a total of 28139 MWh with a maximum capacity of 1567 MW in some hours. This will allow to build up reserves and reduce consumption restrictions.

According to the IMF memorandum on economic and financial policy updated on June 28, the energy deficit in Ukraine, caused by devastating Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, will continue until 2026.

The forecast says that Ukraine will need at least a year and a half to eliminate the electricity deficit after the Russian strikes, which "shut down more than 9 GW of electricity generation capacity in Ukraine in the spring and summer of 2024. The losses suffered by the energy system exceeded $1 billion."

“Energy deficits are expected to continue in 2024 through 2025. According to recent market estimates, including [IMF] staff estimates, the energy deficit will average about 10% in 2024, gradually decline through 2025, and be eliminated in early 2026.”

Serious power shortages - as much as 30% - could occur during peak hours in 2024. Further Russian attacks could further destabilize the energy system.

The situation in Ukraine's energy system is deteriorating. The outage schedule will be slightly longer from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. than during the rest of the day and will continue until the end of July, Ukrenergo Chairman Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said.

It will take about two years to restore Ukraine's energy system, Ukrainians will face inevitable blackouts in the next two winters.

"Ukraine will be able to restore only 200-250 MW by winter, or 7% of electricity generation capacity while 3.5 GW is required," Kudrytskyi said.