Ukraine’s NPPs throttle down after high-voltage lines damaged by Russian attacks
Central Kyiv in blackout (Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
Russia hit key high-voltage power transmission lines in western Ukraine late last week, forcing Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) to reduce output and inducing much harsher power outages across the country, DTEK (largest privately held utility company) said on Dec. 8.
In a Telegram message, the company explained that the electricity shortage exacerbated on Dec. 6, when the Russian military launched 653 drones and 51 missiles (both cruise and ballistic) at Ukrainian infrastructure.
“Air defenses shot down most of them, but the power grid was still seriously damaged,” a DTEK spokesperson said.
“Thermal power plants, including those operated by DTEK, were targeted [in the attack], in addition to high-voltage transmission lines. It became impossible to distribute much of the generated electricity safely.”
The company warned that until the damaged lines are repaired, nuclear power plants (which by now provide the bulk of Ukraine’s total generation) will be kept at a reduced output.
DTEK added that power outages are even more severe in frontline regions of the country, as Russia targets local infrastructure there with an even wider arsenal of weapons.
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