Ukrenergo denies information concerning rolling blackouts

NPC Ukrenergo informs that during January 16-20, 2021, according to the forecast, a significant decrease in the average daily air temperature throughout Ukraine is expected to average down to -17 ° С. Therefore, the seasonal consumption of electric energy will increase, during peak hours of the day, it can grow by up to 3000 MW and reach 25,000 MW.

To pass this difficult period, Ukrenergo has identified several measures to balance the power system and cover the additional load during the morning and evening peak hours of consumption.

The key areas are increasing the production of electricity at hydroelectric power plants and pumped storage power plants and increasing the load level of thermal power plants (TPPs).

“At the same time, although today in the warehouses of TPPs and TPPs coal reserves as of January 14 are equal to 688 thousand tons with the minimum required 900 thousand tons, additional power units of thermal power plants can be put into operation on reserve fuel (gas, fuel oil),” the message says.

It is also noted that a positive factor is the commissioning of the 5th power unit of the Zaporizhzhia NPP (Zaporizhzhia NPP) and the continuation of the operation of the 1st power unit of Zaporizhzhia NPP until the end of the day on January 22, 2021.

Thus, in the next eight days, the Zaporizhzhia NPP will operate with six units with a total capacity of 5600 MW.

“Besides, given the appearance in the press of publications about the alleged possibility of introducing a schedule for emergency shutdowns, we inform you that such measures are not yet planned,” the statement says.

On the use of another tool, namely power limitation charts (GOM), it is noted that this tool has nothing to do with the so-called "rolling blackouts" and does not provide for the disconnection of consumers. They provide for a reduction in individual industrial enterprises' power consumption, where possible, without disrupting their technological processes. The use of such a tool by the transmission system operator is agreed in advance with the Ministry of Energy in case of an unforeseen loss of a significant generation in the power system during peak periods. At the same time, based on the current situation in the power system, the introduction of such schedules during the period of low temperatures is also not planned.