Six nuclear power units in operation in Ukraine, three under planned maintenance

Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal stated on August 21 during the "government question time" at the Verkhovna Rada that Ukraine's power system is currently operating stably, with no planned power cuts implemented for the time being. However, he also pointed out that the future power supply situation will still depend on the intensity of attacks on energy facilities and the progress of repairs.

Shmyhal noted that Ukraine's current available power supply capacity is approximately 15 GW, including combined heat and power units and imported electricity. Among this, nuclear power contributes over 40%, thermal power accounts for about 25%, and hydropower about 15%.

Of the 9 nuclear power units under Ukrainian control, 6 are currently generating electricity, and 3 are under planned maintenance. Since the beginning of this year, 5 nuclear power units have completed maintenance. Shmyhal stated that, according to plan, maintenance of power generation facilities, especially nuclear power units, will be fully completed before the start of the heating season to enhance winter supply security capabilities.

According to the arrangements of Ukraine's energy authorities, the country's available power supply capacity is expected to increase to 19.6 GW by November 1 and reach 21.4 GW by the end of the year. Shmyhal emphasized that the above targets are based on the premise that repaired power generation facilities will not be damaged again, while also taking into account factors such as distributed generation development and electricity imports.

Currently, Ukraine has restored 4.8 GW of power generation capacity, with approximately another 4 GW under repair. The annual plan is to repair and newly build over 10 GW of power generation capacity. More than 3,300 tons of equipment from decommissioned thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants from Lithuania and Germany have arrived in Ukraine, and related equipment from Latvia is also being delivered successively.

In addition, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost external power supply again on August 20, marking the 15th external power interruption at the plant this year. According to data, since the plant fell out of Ukrainian control, a total of 27 external power interruption events have occurred.