At temperatures below -8 degrees, blackouts are possible during peak hours

If air temperatures fall below -8 degrees, there could be a serious shortage of electricity in Ukraine. Therefore, electricity consumption may be limited during peak hours.

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

“According to the estimates and calculations of the Energy Industry Research Center, at -8 degrees and below there will be nothing to cover this (power – Ed.) deficit with. Unfortunately, there are certain limitations to interconnecting the European energy with the Ukrainian one. Therefore, at some point there will come a time when consumption during peak hours will need to be limited. That is, between 8 and 10 in the morning or 5 and 8-9 PM.”

Avoiding blackouts during this period is possible if, first of all, citizens use electricity sparingly.

“And there are only two ways – either Ukrainians start to use electricity sparingly during these hours and actually turn off water heaters, irons, washing machines and everything related. There are about a million apartments and multi-apartment buildings in Ukraine, and if each apartment saves 3-4 kW, this is already a very noticeable result for the energy grid. And turning on the electric kettle is 2 kW, turning off the water heater is at least 1.5 kW. Therefore, if Ukrainians really use electricity sparingly, maybe we will be able to avoid blackouts. If people consume (electricity – Ed.) like it’s business as usual, at the maximum level, then, I think, there will be blackouts,” Oleksandr Kharchenko explained.

However, he pointed out that the limits will last one or two, three hours at most, according to a predictable and comfortable schedule.

He added that as many large consumers as possible, who could be sent for repairs in the winter period, have gone for repairs, and all those who could limit their consumption are doing so as much as possible. However, according to him, we are currently very close to the line where the authorities will have to impose limitations on consumers.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news