Ukraine faces potential 20-hour power cuts this winter, warns WHO

Ukraine could endure power cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day this winter, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The report highlights the severe consequences these blackouts could have on the country, particularly in urban areas where essential services like heating, hot water, and electricity rely heavily on the energy grid, per Caliber.Az.

On October 2, Oleh Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities, warned that electricity costs in Ukraine could double over the next two to three years. Meanwhile, Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council had previously cautioned that power outages this winter could extend up to 20 hours per day.

The Ukrainian government attributed this to significant losses in power generation capacity since the spring, including damage to major energy facilities such as Kanevska HPP, Dniproges, and Zmiyivska TPP. Energy Minister German Galushchenko has warned that the upcoming winter may be the most challenging in the country's history.

Ukrainian authorities have urged citizens not to harbour false hopes about avoiding blackouts during the winter months. Mykola Kolesnik, Ukraine’s Deputy Energy Minister, has suggested moving power grids underground as a protective measure against explosions and further damage.

During his September 8 visit to Italy, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, announcing plans to move energy infrastructure and weapons production facilities underground to safeguard the country’s defence capabilities. "We will start producing weapons underground to ensure Ukrainian soldiers can defend themselves, even if deliveries from our partners are delayed," Zelenskyy stated.

By Tamilla Hasanova