Kyiv: In response to extensive Russian bombardments that have caused widespread blackouts, the Ukrainian government on Friday mandated all ministries and regional authorities to cease using air conditioning and turn off external lighting.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the necessity of conserving power following the Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
“Due to the Russian attacks, we have a significant deficit in the energy system. To improve the situation, we restore and expand generation and simultaneously reduce consumption,” Shmyhal stated during a government meeting.
“We approved the government’s order to reduce electricity consumption by all state authorities. Ministries, central institutions, and regional administrations should stop using air conditioners and external lighting of buildings and nearby areas.”
Currently, temperatures in Ukraine are around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), with expectations to rise to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in July and August.
Shmyhal also recommended that law enforcement institutions and judicial authorities adopt similar measures. He urged businesses to minimize the use of air conditioning and other energy-intensive equipment wherever possible.
In the past two months, Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, significantly impairing thermal and hydropower generation capacities. According to Shmyhal, Ukraine has lost approximately 9 GW of energy-generating capacity since March.
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Following the latest attack earlier this month, the sixth since March, the government implemented extensive electricity cuts nationwide. Some residents in Kyiv reported experiencing power outages for up to 12 hours a day.
These rolling blackouts recall the first winter of the war, when Russian strikes targeted the distribution grid, causing prolonged outages of electricity, water, and heating during the crucial cold months. Currently, Russian forces are concentrating their attacks on energy generation facilities, which are more challenging and time-consuming to repair.
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Officials and industry workers are engaged in continuous repairs of the energy system to prepare for the upcoming winter months. Kyiv is also pursuing reforms to establish a more decentralized energy system.
The government has secured about 500 million euros ($540 million) in aid from Western partners for equipment purchases, according to Shmyhal. Additionally, Ukraine is negotiating with its Western neighbors to increase electricity imports from 1.7 GW to over 2 GW. Plans are also in place to nearly double consumer electricity tariffs to finance the necessary repairs.
