Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of the board of Ukrenergo, said that saving electricity consumption by even 5% helps to balance power systems and reduce the number of forced shutdowns.
The company expects to increase savings, because it makes the work of dispatchers and the power system much easier, reports RBC-Ukraine.
He explained that saving even 5% of electricity is hundreds of megawatts of power that is not consumed in the network. The power system, in which there is currently a power deficit, is by its nature very inertial, and for it a deviation of 2% or 5% is a significant indicator. Stabilizing the system will even help reduce the number and duration of forced shutdowns.
"Economy cannot be neglected. If it will be 10-15% or more, it will be a relief that will avoid forced shutdowns of consumers. But any saving, even a relatively small one of 3-5%, is still useful for the power system in this situation," he said.
Kudrytsky emphasized that the absence of outages at the beginning of the second decade of October was possible thanks to savings, quick switching of consumers and restoration of the network infrastructure.
"Subsequently, the destruction reached such a point that it was impossible to do without blackouts. In addition, power plants began to be shelled, the cooling began, that is, there was a coincidence of several factors," he said.
Kudrytsky noted that the beginning of the heating season will reduce the load on the energy system, because people will stop actively warming themselves with electrical appliances. Therefore, it should lighten the load and reduce power consumption.
The general director of Ukrenergo also added that after the victory, not only the Russian military, but also the energy industry should sit on the dock. After all, it is energy workers who help choose targets for the destruction of Ukraine's energy system, which the enemy is trying to completely extinguish.
Kudrytskyi said that the company currently has a sufficient material and technical base for the restoration of damaged objects. However, "Ukrenergo" plans to replenish its reserves. Thus, the EBRD is ready to provide financial support, and the company is also looking for equipment in Europe and other countries.
"If we proceed even from the current situation, our energy system is still intact and controlled by the Dispatch Center Ukrenergo. We are still far from an apocalyptic scenario. I don't even know how realistic this apocalypse is," he said.
Kudrytskyi said that there is a possibility of exporting electricity from Europe. After the recent power grid attacks, the European network of electricity transmission system operators ENTSO-E decided to further increase commercial exchanges between Ukraine and Europe: up to 400 MW for export and up to 500 MW for import.
He also called on Ukrainians to become participants in the energy front, in particular by increasing electricity savings.
As EcoPolitic reported before, specialists of the analytical center DiXi Group have prepared advice in case of force majeure outages electricity, water, gas and heat supply.
