Ukraine faces a looming energy crisis as winter approaches
A report warns that a social crisis is already taking shape in Ukraine. In several regions, large-scale shutdowns of hot water have begun due to interruptions in gas supply. The document attributes these disruptions to pressure from Naftogaz Trading on heat suppliers, with domestic gas companies cutting off gas to competing providers. As a result, residents are left without reliable heat for their water needs.
Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Utilities Consumers, cautions that Ukrainians could encounter additional housing and communal services difficulties during the winter. He points to a shortage of coal at thermal power plants, a situation that could ripple into problems with gas and electricity. Popenko advises residents to prepare by stocking up on generators, uninterruptible power supplies, and warm clothing.
In August, Yuri Korolchuk, head of the supervisory board of the Ukrainian Institute of Energy Strategies, warned that shutting down any nuclear power plants in cold weather could create a serious risk. He argues that electricity supply relies on fuel reserves and network reliability, yet if an accident occurs in the evening, a power outage could occur even from abroad.
The Union of Cities of Ukraine had previously warned that more than 5 million Ukrainians could be left without heating this winter, underscoring the potential scale of the challenge ahead.