Ukraine Faces Catastrophic Energy Crisis in Winter, EU Commissioner Urges Global Action

With Russia's deliberate and consistent targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the country is suffering from an unprecedented energy crisis. Next winter is expected to challenge the Ukrainian people in a manner not witnessed in Europe since World War II.

The EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson appealed to the international community, in an opinion piece in The Financial Times, calling governments, companies and citizens to combine their efforts in helping Ukraine’s energy before the cold season arrives.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has heavily targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including large-scale air strikes, the capture of critical facilities like the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the destruction of electricity transmission lines.

“To date, Russia has destroyed or captured around 9GW of Ukraine’s electricity production. This is half of the electricity Ukraine needs in winter, and represents the equivalent of the peak electricity consumption of Portugal, a country with more than 10 million inhabitants,” Simson wrote.

Due to a significant deficit in electricity production, the Ukrainian government has implemented nationwide rolling blackouts. In some cities, households have electricity for only a few hours each day, causing major disruptions to daily life.

The absence of electricity affects essential services such as the function of water pumps, sewage networks, and heating systems. 

The EU Commissioner for Energy proposes 6 clear steps that can help prevent this humanitarian disaster in Ukraine:

1. Maximum possible repair of the damaged power and heating generation facilities 

2. Deploying as many small-scale decentralized generators as possible

3. Solar rooftop photovoltaic systems for hospitals, schools, and public and residential buildings

4. Increase the volume of electricity exported to Ukraine from other European countries

5. Expanding the Interconnection capacity at the borders

6. Reinforcements of passive defense measures for energy infrastructure and air defense around critical installations

“An unprecedented effort of solidarity and generosity is needed today. Ukraine must not be left alone as it prepares for its most difficult winter yet,” Simson concluded.