Optimistic scenarios predict that during the autumn-winter period, power outages in Ukraine will last 12 hours a day, while pessimistic scenarios predict power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported.
Yurii Korolchuk, an expert at the Institute of Energy Strategy, forecasts several scenarios for the electricity situation in the autumn-winter period, depending on the development of events.
Optimistically, if eight or nine nuclear power plant units operate stably and the winter is mild without severe frost, about three of the six gigawatts (GW) of damaged capacity are expected to be restored. In this case, power outages lasting 12 hours a day are possible.
A more pessimistic scenario sees only about 2 GW of capacity restored, the number of nuclear units operating at six or seven, and a cold winter, sending the power system into crisis.
In a worst-case scenario, Ukrainians could face 20 hours a day without electricity and heating if Russia continues to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Serhii Nahorniak, a member of the Ukrainian parliament's Energy Committee, said that if temperatures drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius in winter, Ukrainians will most likely have electricity for only 12-14 hours a day, and about 10 hours without electricity.
Ukraine's Facebook anti-misinformation center said people have high hopes for Western support.
During an official visit to the United States, the Ukrainian delegation reached an agreement with US officials and business representatives on a strategy for the rapid restoration and modernization of Ukraine’s energy system. To enhance energy security, the United States provided Ukraine with a financial assistance package worth $800 million.
"However, in addition to government measures, businesses and citizens should proactively maintain backup power systems (power banks, charging stations, diesel generators, solar panels and inverters) to be able to confidently respond to emergency power outages," the Ukraine Facebook Disinformation Center noted.
