«We can't even predict»: Kim explained why emergency power cuts were introduced in the Mykolaiv region.

Head of the Mykolaiv Region Military Administration Vitalii Kim, photo: NikVesti

Head of the Mykolaiv Region Military Administration Vitaliy Kim explained that emergency power cuts are currently in effect as energy workers are repairing substations.

He said this in his video address on 24 January, according to NikVesti.

Vitalii Kim reminded that the situation with electricity has worsened because the Russians are shelling energy infrastructure.

«What is happening now? We have little electricity because the Russians are attacking us. They are targeting power generation and transmission. Because of this, the networks are overloaded and we have power cuts. The western part of Ukraine is slightly better off because they are mainly targeting the eastern, southern and northern regions.

In addition to planned power cuts, there are also emergency schedules. This is when something is being repaired and additional power cuts are introduced. It's a matter of luck. We can't even predict it. But when the power is cut off in an emergency, on the one hand it's good because it means that something is being repaired somewhere — some large substation. There are prospects for improvement,» said Vitalii Kim.

The head of the Regional State Administration says that the situation with electricity supply in the region should improve, in particular when solar power generation starts working.

«The government and we are working — two meetings a day, and there are results. Now there is direct communication, all the bureaucracy has been eliminated. There are results in the Mykolaiv region. For example, yesterday they turned on additional generation, and on 30 January, additional generation will be turned on. We are currently deciding on an alternative. I think we will feel relief when our solar power generation starts working,» said Vitalii Kim.

However, he reminded that the Ukrainian energy system is shared by the whole country, so electricity is distributed among regions in proportion to their needs.

«But this does not mean that if we add 40 MW, we will have more light. We all contribute to a common 'boiler' and then it is distributed equally to all regions that are currently without electricity. Therefore, our situation will not improve faster than everyone else's. In other words, I cannot make it so that we have 4 hours of power cuts, while somewhere else they have 18. The situation will improve gradually,» he explained.

We would like to remind you that the situation with electricity supply in the Mykolaiv region remains difficult. Residents should be prepared for the worst-case scenario — up to two hours of electricity per day.

The head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Kim, apologised to the residents of Mykolaiv for the frequent power outages and noted that it is currently impossible to influence the situation.

He later stated that protests or roadblocks would not affect the number of hours of power outages. According to him, the forecast for electricity is currently bleak, so communities and residents should prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Read the NikVesti article: «Heat, water distribution points and school operations: the current situation in Mykolaiv».