90% of power units of thermal power plants have passed life expectancy in Ukraine

68 out of 75 power units of thermal power plants (TPPs) have passed life expectancy in Ukraine. 95% of electrical distribution networks are in poor condition, Economichna Pravda reports.

“The technical condition of the equipment used in the energy sector is approaching critical due to a high degree of deterioration and is a source of increased danger, leading to the need for unscheduled disconnections of consumers from electricity and heat supply,” the Accounting Chamber's report says.

As a result, the number of technological disturbances during the 2019/2020 heating period increased by 3.7 times compared to the 2016/2017 heating period – from 1353 to 4969.

Also, in 2020, the number of failures of technical equipment at stations increased compared to the previous year.

The number of failures at DTEK Dniproenergo increased from 60 to 78 cases, at Slavyansk TPP – from 4 to 21 cases, at DTEK Skhidenergo – from 11 to 58 cases, and at NPC Ukrenergo – from 82 to 93 cases.

Despite this, the State Energy Supervision did not carry out any monitoring activities during the specified period, did not issue a single order or fine, and did not initiate shutdowns of power equipment.

As indicated in the report, the reason for this is that the government has not taken effective measures to create the State Energy Supervision, registered as a legal entity since October 29, 2018. The state budget for 2019 did not provide for funds for the functioning of the structure, and the full staffing table has not been formed for two years.

The constant changes in the energy ministers also negatively affected the organization of the activities of the State Energy Supervision.

Such a trend has resulted in fulfilling its main tasks only in 2020. At the same time, the State Energy Supervision made a list of about 60 thousand objects, subject to state energy supervision.

However, due to the effect of legislative restrictions to prevent the emergence and spread of COVID-19, inspections of the State Energy Supervision were prohibited.

Rinat Akhmetov's DTEK group controls almost 80% of thermal generation and owns shares in seven energy distribution companies, which supplied more than 40% of electricity in 2021.