The Ukrainian energy system has reached a critical threshold in terms of the equipment and financial reserves required to mitigate the consequences of Russian shelling. If the enemy carries out several more massive attacks, power engineers may lack the resources for repair work.
This was stated by Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.
According to the expert, he currently observes no real sources of funding or the necessary material resources to replenish the warehouses of energy companies. This applies both to the state operator and to private enterprises.
"I do not see any resources or sources of money for the massive replenishment of reserves. Perhaps I am simply unaware of something, and I would be glad if that were the case. But I currently do not see resources at Ukrenergo, or at generating companies, or especially at distribution companies, to purchase the equipment they already need and will need in two or three months," Kharchenko emphasized.
The expert noted that NEC Ukrenergo still retains certain equipment reserves ("some stockpiles are still working"), but the situation for other market participants, particularly the distribution companies, is threatening.
Kharchenko also gave a discouraging forecast regarding the system's ability to withstand further Russian strikes without urgent replenishment of reserves: "The situation is close to the point where they [the energy companies], within a certain and very short period—two or three attacks—will simply look at the damage and not understand how to restore it."