How Ukraine's power grid survived so many Russian bombings

Russia was determined to break the will of the Ukrainians by plunging them into cold and darkness. Its failure, in the face of Ukrainian resilience, offers lessons as winter has loosened its frigid grip.
Electric trams are running again in Kyiv, and scooters electricity dot the sidewalks. With the curfew extended until midnight, the streets are bright and lively. Portable generators, almost impossible to find as they flew off shelves in December, are being sold for half price.
The Kremlin's campaign to smash Ukraine's will to fight turning winter into a weapon and shutting off the power ultimately failed - but there were times when it seemed all could be lost.
The Week darkest of a long, cold season came in mid-November, when Russian missiles streaked in three directions, heading for Ukrainian power plants.
Officials energy, gathered in a secret bunker in Kyiv, watched as alarms flashed across large screens mapping the country's energy grid as critical substations, thermal power plants and hydroelectric facilities all went dark. Then something happened that they had never seen before during weeks of bombardment: all of the country's nuclear power plants were plunged into blackout.
In seconds, control rods positioned above reactors in Ukraine's three operating plants fell into cores to absorb neutrons and stop the chain reaction that could lead to meltdown. The reactors, which provide 50% of the country's energy, stopped.
At the same time, Russian missiles and drones cut off the connection of the Ukraine to the European Grid, a critical source of energy that helped Ukraine avoid the collapse of its own grid.
On a continent of light, the ukraine was an island of darkness. Millions had no heating. The toilets weren't working. Lines formed on old wells as people carried jugs of water through dark apartments in kyiv. Internet service was interrupted for many. Officials discussed mass evacuation plans.
ImageUkrainian electricians inspecting a line electricity in Kiev replaced after a Russian strike late last year.Credit...Emile Ducke for The New York Times
ImageA transformer, destroyed in a Russian strike, at a Ukrenergo substation in an undisclosed location. Credit...Emile Ducke for The New York Times
"the toughest days," Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said in an interview energy officials, utility workers, government officials and military intelligence - it is all the more remarkable that as winter loosened its frigid grip, Ukraine's power grid not only survived, but was even able in early March to produce a surplus of power for the first time in months.
Major challenges with power supply, however , may still be looming.
Avoid the relentless the bombardments have dramas...

World Apr 11, 2023 0 37 Add to Reading List

How Ukraine's power grid survived so many Russian bombings

Russia was determined to break the will of the Ukrainians by plunging them into cold and darkness. Its failure, in the face of Ukrainian resilience, offers lessons as winter has loosened its frigid grip.

Electric trams are running again in Kyiv, and scooters electricity dot the sidewalks. With the curfew extended until midnight, the streets are bright and lively. Portable generators, almost impossible to find as they flew off shelves in December, are being sold for half price.

The Kremlin's campaign to smash Ukraine's will to fight turning winter into a weapon and shutting off the power ultimately failed - but there were times when it seemed all could be lost.

The Week darkest of a long, cold season came in mid-November, when Russian missiles streaked in three directions, heading for Ukrainian power plants.

Officials energy, gathered in a secret bunker in Kyiv, watched as alarms flashed across large screens mapping the country's energy grid as critical substations, thermal power plants and hydroelectric facilities all went dark. Then something happened that they had never seen before during weeks of bombardment: all of the country's nuclear power plants were plunged into blackout.

In seconds, control rods positioned above reactors in Ukraine's three operating plants fell into cores to absorb neutrons and stop the chain reaction that could lead to meltdown. The reactors, which provide 50% of the country's energy, stopped.

At the same time, Russian missiles and drones cut off the connection of the Ukraine to the European Grid, a critical source of energy that helped Ukraine avoid the collapse of its own grid.

On a continent of light, the ukraine was an island of darkness. Millions had no heating. The toilets weren't working. Lines formed on old wells as people carried jugs of water through dark apartments in kyiv. Internet service was interrupted for many. Officials discussed mass evacuation plans.

ImageUkrainian electricians inspecting a line electricity in Kiev replaced after a Russian strike late last year.Credit...Emile Ducke for The New York Times

ImageA transformer, destroyed in a Russian strike, at a Ukrenergo substation in an undisclosed location. Credit...Emile Ducke for The New York Times

"the toughest days," Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said in an interview energy officials, utility workers, government officials and military intelligence - it is all the more remarkable that as winter loosened its frigid grip, Ukraine's power grid not only survived, but was even able in early March to produce a surplus of power for the first time in months.

Major challenges with power supply, however , may still be looming.

Avoid the relentless the bombardments have dramas...