On March 18, Ukraine has initiated hourly power outages across all regions due to difficulties within its energy system. Additionally, power restrictions have been imposed on industrial consumers, with emergency disconnections occurring in certain areas.
The National Energy Company of Ukraine (Ukrenergo) announced these measures via Telegram, attributing the restrictions to the aftermath of recent Russian missile and drone attacks. The company also noted an increase in energy consumption, which has been exacerbated by the reduced efficiency of solar power plants and a drop in temperatures.
Ukrenergo has advised citizens to monitor local energy companies’ pages for updates on the timing and extent of the outages, as the situation may fluctuate. Residents are encouraged to use electricity sparingly when it becomes available according to the scheduled outages.
As of the morning of March 18, some consumers in Donetsk, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions were reported to be temporarily without power due to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and related military activities.
Ukraine has enacted scheduled power outages nationwide due to challenges in its energy system, primarily stemming from recent attacks and increased demand. Citizens are advised to stay informed about local outages and to conserve energy when available.