Nova Kakhovka dam collapse didn’t affect power supply in Ukraine: state operator
The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by Russia has so far not affected the operation of the power system, as the plant did not supply electricity to Ukrainian-controlled territory, state energy operator Ukrenergo said in a statement.
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Russia blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant overnight on Tuesday, unleashing floodwater across the downstream area.
"The hydroelectric power plant has been occupied since the first days of the aggression and was mined by Russians, technological connection with it has been lost, and no power was supplied to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine from it," Ukrenergo said.
The company added it was monitoring the situation together with Ukrhydroenergo, a state company owning the plant, and would update on the situation’s impact on Ukraine’s power system.
Ukrenergo further assured Ukraine has enough electricity to meet the needs of consumers, despite an active repair campaign at a number of power plants.
The plant was blown up from the inside overnight on Tuesday, with its dam destroyed, leading to a rapid rise in the water level in the nearby areas.
Local authorities have called on the residents to prepare for evacuation as the water level is estimated to reach peak levels at around 11:00 am. Up to 80 settlements are at risk of flooding, according to Ukraine's prime minister.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called the perpetrators "Russian terrorists" and convened a national security and defence council to discuss the situation.
