Ukraine has been able to resume electricity exports for the first time in six months, as its energy infrastructure recovers from months of Russian attacks. In October 2020, Russia began a deliberate assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to power cuts and scheduled blackouts, leaving towns and cities in darkness during winter. The country was forced to stop electricity exports, but is now able to sell its excess power again.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko signed an executive order authorising the exports, although local customers remain the priority. He said the system had been producing extra capacity for almost two months and that Ukrainians were not facing restrictions. He praised the “titanic work” of engineers and international partners to restore the system. Residents across Ukraine told the BBC that power supplies were becoming more reliable.
However, the operator of the country’s electricity network, Ukrenergo, warned that Ukraine could not count on Russian attacks stopping. The company said Russia had launched more than 1,200 missiles and drones at its energy facilities so far during the war, describing it as the largest attempt to destroy a European country’s energy system. To keep warm during power cuts and freezing temperatures, civilians had to use hubs known as “resilience centres” which provided power and heat, as well as basic supplies like food and medicines.
Every one of Ukraine’s thermal and hydroelectric power plants has been damaged since Russia began targeting energy infrastructure. Kyiv has also lost control of Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, which is in Russian hands. In June 2022, Ukraine had said it was hoping to bring in €1.5bn (£1.33bn) from electricity exports to the EU – its main export market for energy since the war began – by the end of the year.
The question remains as to whether or not Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy grid has failed. Despite the destruction of transformers and other infrastructure, Ukrainians have been able to restore their power supply and resume exports. However, Ukrenergo has warned that Russia could launch further attacks and Ukraine is still in danger of losing control of its nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia. It is clear that while Ukraine has been able to recover from the initial attack, it is still vulnerable to further Russian aggression.