In 2024, Ukraine imported a record amount of electricity over the last decade. By data portal Energy Map, the total import reached almost 4.5 million MWh, which is the highest figure in the last 11 years. This was reported by the Ukrainian analytical center in the field of energy and climate DiXi Group, referring to the Energy Map open data portal.
The main reason for such a sharp increase was the large-scale shelling of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russia. From March to December 2024, Russian forces carried out 13 massive attacks, using 846 missiles and 866 drones. Some of these strikes caused significant damage to the country’s power system.
The highest level of import was recorded in summer, in particular in June and July. During this period, abnormal heat and planned repairs of power units were added to the consequences of shelling. Thus, in June the volume of imports amounted to 858.4 thousand MWh, which exceeded the total volume of imports for the entire year 2023 by 6%.
Hungary (38.4% of total imports), Slovakia (23.4%), Romania (18.5%), Poland (14.3%) and Moldova (5.4%) became the main suppliers of electricity for Ukraine.
As for the export of electricity, in 2024 it fell by 90% compared to the pre-war year 2021 and amounted to only 348.5 thousand. MWh The largest volumes of exports were observed in March – before the beginning of massive attacks. From May to September, exports were completely stopped for 140 days. In total, during the year, Ukraine exported electricity for only 151 days, while imports almost did not stop, except for two days.
This anomalous situation in the field of energy balance demonstrates the scale of the challenges facing Ukraine in 2024. In the conditions of martial law, the stable functioning of the energy system has become critically important for meeting the needs of the country. According to the results of the year, Ukraine remained a net importer of electricity, because the volume of imports significantly exceeded exports.
