The International Energy Agency warns that Ukraine could face severe electricity shortages this winter because of Russian attacks targeting the country’s power infrastructure.
In its latest report on Ukraine published on Thursday, the IEA says Russia’s intensified attacks “left Ukraine with only around a third of its pre-war electricity generation capacity by mid-year.”
It also says “rolling blackouts and other unscheduled interruptions to supply have become the norm, limiting electricity provision in the worst-affected regions to a few hours per day.”
The IEA forecasts that during peak electricity demand this winter, a supply of 18.5 gigawatts will be needed, but even with imports from neighboring countries, there may be a shortfall of about 6 gigawatts.
It says, “Ukraine’s energy system made it through two successive winters since Russia’s invasion, but the third promises to be the sternest of tests.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital Kyiv on Friday. They are expected to discuss the EU’s energy assistance.