State grid operator Ukrenergo has explained why the duration of power outages differs significantly across Ukraine's regions.
According to the company, the primary cause is the aftermath of Russian shelling. Employing a "scorched earth" tactic, Russia is systematically destroying generation facilities in frontline and border regions while launching strikes on power transmission and distribution infrastructure.
"The enemy's goal is not only to eliminate working power plants in a specific territory of Ukraine but also to make it as difficult as possible to transmit electricity there from other regions," Ukrenergo emphasized.
Ukraine's energy system was not designed for such a scenario, and capabilities for transmitting energy over hundreds of kilometers are limited. Even without attacks on the grid, transmitting the necessary volume of electricity—for instance, from the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant to Kharkiv—would be problematic, as transmission lines and substation equipment physically cannot handle such voltage levels.
To partially offload the grid, restrictions are imposed in regions located along the route from generation sites and interstate interconnectors to power-deficit areas. Conversely, regions bypassed by these transmission routes do not require restrictions; they may even experience a power surplus that technically cannot be delivered to areas where generation and networks have suffered the most damage.
Ukrenergo noted that emergency repair work is continuing around the clock.
The disparity in outage duration between regions is the result of a deliberate Russian strategy. According to energy expert Viktor Kurtev, Russia is methodically destroying generation on the Left Bank of the Dnieper—an energy-deficit region—and dismantling the transmission "interface" across the river to sever the Left Bank from the surplus-producing Right Bank. Consequently, frontline and eastern regions face the most acute shortages.
UN forecasts indicate that due to the loss of approximately 9 GW of generating capacity, winter outages could last from 4 to 18 hours a day, depending on the region and weather conditions. The Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo does not rule out maintaining outage schedules throughout the entire winter season, though a total blackout is not expected.
To prepare for prolonged blackouts, experts recommend stocking up on water, non-perishable food, power banks, and alternative light sources. Residents are also advised to check with their internet providers about network access during outages and learn how to power a router via a power bank.
