Kim about the problems with light in the Mykolaiv region: «We are in the same system. When they hit Kharkiv, we feel it»

According to the new model of «Ukrenergo» for the distribution of electricity between regions, the regions will be de-energized according to queues, and not according to limits. However, the Mykolaiv region cannot avoid long-term blackouts, because it is located in the same energy system.

Vitalii Kim, the head of Mykolaiv RMA, told about this in a comment to the correspondent of NikVesti.

The situation with the power system is currently complex and problematic, says Vitalii Kim. Despite the fact that Mykolaiv Oblast produces a significant amount of electricity, the region cannot avoid blackouts due to its location in a single all-Ukrainian grid, which is affected by damage in any part of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

«In terms of electricity, the problem is big and it will not be possible, as it was before, to turn off the light for a number of technical reasons. Now Ukrenergo uses a different model for disconnection. This is in order, and not in terms of limits per region, so that no one there is tricking in Ukraine. This is more fair. And now we will have, as I understand it, one-third of consumers disconnected, and two-thirds with light. In my opinion, it will be good if there is no light for two hours, but there are four. In the fall, we will look at our distribution capacities to see what we can improve. Despite the fact that Mykolaiv produces ten times more electricity, we are part of a single energy network. And therefore, if they hit even somewhere in Sumy, or somewhere in Kharkiv, we also feel it from the point of view of electricity distribution. Therefore, this situation is not local and I cannot personally fix it. Because we are currently working in the all-Ukrainian system. The main priority of this conference is Ukraine's energy security. And that's why the main projects here will be related to energy independence and financing of electric generation,» said Vitalii Kim.

The head of Mykolaiv RMA Vitalii Kim at the Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine, June 11, 2024, photo NikVesti

At the same time, he says that there will be much fewer problems with heating than with electricity supply. Although it does not rule out that when the heating season starts in the city, there will be problems due to accidents.

«There will be fewer problems with heating than with electricity, because not everything in our country depends on gas. It may be the same as before (we are talking about the problematic preparation of the CHP before the beginning of the heating season, — note), because it was an emergency situation due to the burst of a large pipe. No one is immune from this, so I can't answer right now,» explained the head of the RMA.

Why is the light turned off again in Mykolaiv Oblast?

As you know, power outages across Ukraine have returned since mid-May. The main reason for this is the resumption of large-scale shelling of the energy industry by the Russians, which destroyed 9.2 GW of Ukrainian generation over the past three months.

The government explained that the outages will last until August-September. And in winter, a deficit in the energy system is predicted even at high temperatures.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the Ministry of Energy and «Ukrenergo» should develop a resolution that would regulate «fair schedules of turning off the lights for consumers.»

In Mykolaiv and the region, outages occur according to the queues to which the region is divided according to the «Mykolaivoblenergo» schedule — there are 6 of them in total. The list of addresses by queues can be viewed at the link.

Also, «Mykolayivoblenergo» presented a search system that should help consumers more easily navigate schedules and power outages.

It is also worth noting that almost all this time the lights were turned off according to hourly schedules for 2 hours in a row, however, on June 4, special emergency shutdown schedules were introduced in Mykolaiv and the region. Consumers were without light for 5-6 hours.

Trams and trolleybuses may stop working for hours in Mykolaiv due to the lack of electricity supply.

The head of the Mykolayiv regional administration, Vitalii Kim, previously stated that the situation with the Ukrainian energy system is bad, but its condition should improve.