Media: Germany faces domestic criticism over generator shipments to Ukraine

The delivery of generators and mobile thermal power stations to Ukraine has sparked widespread public dissatisfaction in Germany.

The controversy was heightened by a power outage in southwestern Berlin caused by an accident in early January. The incident drew attention to whether the resources sent abroad could have been used domestically to prevent or mitigate such outages, Berliner Zeitung reports.

The report notes that German officials have largely avoided answering questions about the allocation of these critical energy resources. In response to inquiries about why Berlin lacked sufficient capacity to independently manage the blackout, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) emphasized its role as a service provider: “In this case, the request came from the Senate. Requesting forces from other organizations does not fall within THW’s competence,” the agency said.

To recall, in view of Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s electricity and heat infrastructure, Germany has topped up its winter aid for Ukraine by another 15 million euros to now 85 million euros.

As a first step, two thermal power stations were handed over in Kyiv. These will provide electricity and heat for 86,000 people, five hospitals, 25 childcare facilities, 13 schools and close to 200 administration buildings.

The German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan stated that Russia made life in Ukraine hard with its attacks, and that Russia’s aim was to prompt a large number of people to flee. “We rely on the resilience of the Ukrainian people and are standing firmly by their side,” the minister said. Planning provides for further thermal power stations, generators, modular boiler systems, pellet heating systems and battery systems to be delivered to Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva