February 24, 2023 marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine. It’s been widely reported that Russian President Vladmir Putin believed Ukraine would fall easily and welcome his troops into the country. However, that didn’t materialize. Instead, Ukraine fought, and continues to fight, to retain its independence.
In October 2022, the Russians changed tactics and decided to attempt to take down the power grid in Ukraine to “weaponize” the cold and dark of winter. The military commenced bombing power plants, substations, transmission lines and other key equipment that brings electricity to Ukraine citizens. Grid operators DTEK, which owns about 60% of the power plants, transmission and distribution lines in the country and Ukrenergo, the state-owned grid operator, have valiantly worked to repair damages as quickly as possible and restore power after attacks.
Rolling blackouts, however, still plague the Ukrainians living in the country. No power means no heat, no hot water, no elevators — something particularly impactful for elderly people who live in high-rise apartments — and long, cold, dark nights.
At the recently concluded DISTRIBUTECH 2023, Ukrenergo’s second-in-command Andrii Nemyrovskyi, gave an update about the attacks in the country and asked electric utilities in the U.S. to help by donating used and retired equipment to Ukraine so they could repurpose transformers, generators, switch gear and other equipment. In addition, Clarion Events, owner of DISTRIBUTECH, announced its support of a new initiative, Energize Ukraine, with a $10,000 check.
Watch the BBC documentary, Powering Ukraine. Fighting russia’s energy war, below.
