Kakhovka Hydro Plant Rebuild Could Take 6-7 Years After De-Occupation

Ukrainian energy company Ukrhydroenergo estimates a six to seven-year timeframe to rebuild the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, once the area is liberated from Russian occupation. This timeline was outlined by company CEO Ihor Syrota in a June 6 interview.

“According to preliminary estimates, the station can be rebuilt in 6-7 years, but before that the territory must be de-occupied, and then we will be able to drain the place where the explosion occurred, conduct an inspection, dismantle the destroyed structures and structures of the Kakhovka hydroelectric complex,” Syrota said. “What it will be like is still difficult to say, since at the moment without expertise we do not know how critical the situation is.”

On the one-year anniversary of the power plant’s destruction by Russian forces on June 6, 2023, Syrota highlighted the severe humanitarian and environmental consequences for Ukraine.

It’s been announced in March 2024 that Ukrhydroenergo’s [Ukraine’s state-owned energy company — Ed.] losses from the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant’s destruction facilities exceed 2.5 billion euros.

The loss of the Kakhovka plant has also impacted the Zaporizhzhia Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing unfavorable operating conditions and periodic power restrictions due to the drained Kakhovka reservoir upstream. This has affected not only the Zaporizhzhia plant itself but also other hydroelectric plants connected to the Dnipro River.

Ukraine asks for global help to ensure nuclear and food security through the Peace Formula that will be presented at the Summit on Peace for Ukraine in Switzerland on June 15-16.