Ukraine decommissions two hydropower plants after bombing

On 8 May 2024 critical infrastructure was targeted by shelling, and significant damage was done to hydropower facilities in Ukraine, said state-owned power company Ukrhydroenergo.

“The enemy continues to massively attack and destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, delivering devastating targeted strikes,” according to a release.

The names of the hydropower were not released.

The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported on 9 May that several regions were affected by enemy shelling, with many energy users losing power. The minister said on 8 May that electricity generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions were attacked.

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To date, all hydropower generation in Ukraine has suffered devastating damage, the utility said. Destroyed equipment requires considerable efforts to repair, restore and significant financial resources.

In March 2024, Hydro Review reported that Ihor Syrota, general director of Ukrhydroenergo, said it will take years to restore the 661MW Dnipro 2 hydropower project after a recent bombing.

The ministry also reported on plans for restoration and decentralisation of generation in the country, saying Ukraine is interested in deepening cooperation with GE Vernova, which has contributed “to strengthening the energy sector of Ukraine.”

They also emphasised the prospects of cooperation in developing microgrids in a number of regions based on existing power plants, the company's participation in restoration of the infrastructure of Ukrainian hydro generation and other energy facilities according to the "build back better" principle, as well as cooperation in the nuclear industry.

GE Vernova manufactures equipment for the energy industry, including hydroelectric power plants.

Originally published on hydroreview.com