Ukrenergo Will Step Up Security at Energy Facilities Ahead of Winter
"Ukrenergo" will strengthen the protection of energy facilities and build up an additional reserve of equipment ahead of the fall and winter season. This was announced by Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal following a meeting with the company’s management board and supervisory board. Special attention will be paid to the safety of substation workers and the rapid construction of protective structures.
On October 1, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with the management board and members of the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo. The main topic was preparing the power grid for the fall and winter period. During the meeting, they discussed the state of the power grid following the latest Russian attacks. They also discussed the readiness of Ukrenergo’s facilities for the new heating season and potential attacks.
According to Shmyhal, the company must strengthen the protection of energy facilities and prepare the necessary equipment in advance. “I have identified priority tasks regarding strengthening protection, building the necessary equipment reserves, and ensuring personnel safety,” the minister noted. Ukrenergo was given a separate task regarding protective structures. If necessary, the company must review existing designs and standardize them. Afterward, the plan is to implement these structures as quickly as possible and roll out the relevant solutions across all regions.
Shmyhal also emphasized that the procedures for designing and constructing protective structures need to be simplified. According to him, in wartime, there is no room for delays between decision-making and the start of work. “In wartime, the time from decision-making to implementation must be minimal,” the minister stressed.
A reserve of equipment will be created
Another priority is establishing a reserve of equipment for the power grid. “Ukrenergo” must conduct a detailed inventory of all available supplies. This is necessary to determine what equipment is sufficient and which items may be in short supply in the event of new damage. Afterward, they will determine what needs to be purchased additionally or obtained from the government and international partners.
This involves preparing for various scenarios. Russian attacks have already damaged energy facilities on multiple occasions, so the company must prepare equipment in advance for potential repairs and restoration. The meeting also addressed the safety of substation workers. According to Shmyhal, protecting people must be one of the top priorities when preparing the power grid for winter. “We must stay one step ahead of the enemy—strengthen our defenses, build up reserves, and prepare solutions in advance for every possible scenario,” Shmyhal concluded.
Thus, ahead of winter, “Ukrenergo” must simultaneously strengthen the physical protection of its facilities, check equipment stockpiles, and prepare additional reserves. Separately, there are plans to accelerate the construction of protective structures and strengthen safety measures for energy sector workers. The official announced this on the evening of October 1 on Facebook.
Ukrainian and European intelligence agencies have information about Russia’s plans to attack certain EU countries. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga made this statement, adding that Europe needs to prepare for such scenarios and, most importantly, prevent them from happening.
