Kyiv (The Brussels Moning Newspaper) – The European Union foresees a difficult winter for Ukrainians due to the loss of half of their energy capabilities.
How Is Russia’s Destruction of Energy Infrastructure Impacting Ukraine?
The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said this in a column for the Financial Times. “To date, Russia has obliterated or captured about 9 GW of electricity production in Ukraine. This is half of the electricity that Ukraine requires in winter and is equivalent to the peak electricity consumption in Portugal, a nation with a population of more than 10 million,” the official said.
According to her, while Ukrainian energy employees are repairing the damage and restoring the operation of energy facilities, the Russian occupiers shoot and destroy them again, which turns the repair into a “Sisyphean labour”.Â
How Is the EU Supporting Ukraine Amidst Energy Challenges?
At the same period, Simson stated that the European Union and the entire international community backed Ukraine. So far, it has already worked to collect EUR 500 million for service in the energy sector. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism delivered in-kind assistance, including more than 8,000 generators and more than 3,300 transformers. “But the international community must do much more. To avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine, we need to step up unprecedented efforts for logistical support and assistance now,” she stated.
What Are the Risks of Prolonged Electricity Shortages in Ukraine?
The European Commissioner emphasised that a prolonged lack of electricity in winter indicates the impossibility of access to basic services: water supply and heating.
“During freezing winter temperatures, some areas in Ukraine may simply become unlivable. Elderly people, children and helpless sections of the population will suffer the most. Where the electrical load has already surpassed the limit, some areas may collapse under the weight of additional direction from displaced people. With the decline in economic activity, budget revenues will decline, increasing Ukraine’s budget deficit and decreasing its ability to support the national struggle for freedom. The threat of a humanitarian disaster is high,” Simson stated.
As the Ukrainian News Agency earlier conveyed, on July 30, Yurii Boiko, advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine on energy issues, stated that in the coming months, power outages may be negligible. According to Ukrenergo, in August, September and October there will be more additional days without power outages, and conditions will be applied only in the evening, provided there are no missile attacks
