Ukrzaliznytsia, Naftogaz told to switch to imported electricity
Photo: Ukrzaliznytsia/Facebook

Ukrzaliznytsia and Naftogaz have been ordered to switch to imported electricity for at least half of their total consumption. The decision was announced on Friday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, who has been appointed to lead Ukraine’s emergency response in the energy sector.

"State-owned companies, primarily Ukrzaliznytsia and Naftogaz, must urgently ensure the purchase of imported electricity during the 2025/26 autumn-winter season in an amount of no less than 50% of their total consumption," Shmyhal wrote on Facebook.

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The Cabinet of Ministers also decided to recommend that the energy regulator — the National Commission for State Regulation in Energy and Utilities (NCSREU) — urgently review and simplify procedures for connecting backup power equipment to the grid.

"Project review and approval should take two days. Obtaining technical specifications — two days. Inspection and sealing of the metering unit — another two days," Shmyhal said.

According to him, backup power equipment will be redistributed among regions, taking into account the critical needs of essential infrastructure.

  • Ukraine’s energy crisis has been deliberately caused by Russia, which has carried out 256 air attacks on power facilities and heating systems since the start of the heating season.
  • During this period, Russian forces struck 11 hydroelectric power plants and 45 major thermal power plants across the country. In addition, they carried out 49 precision drone and missile strikes on thermal power plants and 151 attacks on electricity substations in various regions of Ukraine.