Additional security measures at facilities and preparation for winter – Oleksandr Kharchenko on current state of affairs in energy sector

In terms of heavy high-voltage equipment, which is the most difficult to replace, and which Ukraine needs most now, it will be possible to obtain and install at most 20% of what is really necessary before the heating season.

Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director at the Energy Industry Research Center made this statement during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

However, according to him, in the absence of enemy attacks on power grid facilities, the winter period will pass “normally, without major emergencies.”

“If they (ed. – attacks) do not resume, then almost certainly we will live through the winter period, live through it normally and, let’s say, without major emergencies. Although in some places certain regions are very vulnerable, and there will definitely be a need to focus additional efforts, but I can’t see such special super-efforts taken by the government. Or there will be more difficult conditions for energy supply in the winter period,” said Oleksandr Kharchenko.

At the same time, he noted that work is currently underway to provide passive physical protection of the key infrastructure.

“Construction is underway, contractors are working to install appropriate storage facilities for autotransformers. Including for the energy grid, they are being installed because it hasn’t been done properly in certain facilities beforehand. Therefore, this work is actually getting done, it is getting done very proactively,” the expert added.

Oleksandr Kharchenko expressed hope that by the start of the heating season the most “vulnerable” spots will be physically covered better than in the spring.

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