Ukraine's renewable sector faces setbacks from sabotage of Kakhovka dam

The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and the flooding of territories had a significant impact on renewable generation in Ukraine. According to Artem Semenyshyn, director of the Solar Energy Association (ASEU), the disaster may cause the removal of approximately 500 MW of renewable energy generation from the power grid, writes Energoreforma.

"According to preliminary estimates, at least 500 MW of generating capacity from renewable energy sources in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts is fully or partially damaged or currently unable to supply electricity to the grid, taking into account the large hydropower industry," Semenyshyn said.

First of all, it is 334 MW of capacity in the Kakhovka HPP itself, which is not subject to restoration, as well as various degrees of damage due to flooding or submersion of more than 150 MW of solar power plants, among which almost 130 MW are industrial land-based solar power plants.

Semenyshyn stated, "When panel and transformer equipment remain submerged for an extended period, it causes significant damage to their generating capacity or raises the threat of future failure."

Additionally, he explained that when flooding leads to substation shutdowns, it prevents those substations from supplying power to other networked SPPs. This also results in significant losses for Ukraine, which is currently forced to import electricity.

Ukrhydroenergo plans to build a new Kakhovka HPP after the war.

Energy giant DTEK has admitted the possibility of power outages due to the Russians blowing the Kakhovka HPP.