Ukraine has almost lost shunting generation, only nuclear remains: Zerkal
The expert warned that one should not count on a quick restoration of the energy infrastructure.
In Ukraine, after the Russian attacks, the basic nuclear generation remained intact, but the shunting generation, which ensures the flexibility of the energy system, is almost lost. About this in interview Lana Zerkal, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and former adviser to the Minister of Energy, told “Ukrainian Pravda”.
“All these stations have come under massive fire. Some of them have been hit up to 20 times. If we don’t provide adequate air defense (ADF) and close the skies, it will become an endless cycle of rebuild-destroy-rebuild“, she noted.
Zerkal emphasized that today a lot depends on the extent to which energy companies, in particular DTEK, which have to repair their stations, are confident that during the restoration there will not be another shelling that will destroy all previous efforts.
She also emphasized that it will not be possible to quickly improve the situation in the energy sector, because in practice it is necessary to actually create a new system, and not be limited to spot repairs.
When asked about the mistakes Ukraine made after the attacks on generation in 2022, Zerkal noted that it would be worthwhile to start decentralizing generation even then.
“Unfortunately, no one took seriously the need to build it, no one wanted to think in advance that the war could drag on for several years, and that stability must be ensured”, – emphasized the expert.
She also added that numerous small power plants that could replace each other, regardless of the degree of system destruction, and provide critical infrastructure would ensure Ukraine’s energy stability.
Thus, according to Zerkal, Ukraine needs to invest in creating a decentralized energy system that does not depend on large centralized generators and can function regardless of current threats and damage.
