New Format: All Energy for Ukraine. Why Electricity Export Is Currently Impossible
In Ukraine, the topic of electricity export to European countries has once again become the focus of public discussion. Despite numerous requests to the Ministry of Energy, the situation remains unchanged all available generation capacities are used exclusively to cover domestic demand.
The reason for such strict conservation is simple and painful:
“As a result of massive missile and drone attacks by the enemy, all large thermal and hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine have been damaged. Their ability to generate electricity has significantly decreased. Meanwhile, consumer demand has remained at the same level as before the attacks. Therefore, all available capacities of domestic power plants are now working exclusively to cover domestic consumption accordingly, electricity export outside Ukraine is not taking place,” – the Ministry of Energy stated.
After the latest waves of infrastructure strikes, the situation has become even more complicated. The Ukrainian power system, despite its integration with the European ENTSO-E grid, cannot ensure a surplus for export. All main NPPs, HPPs, TPPs, and CHPPs are operating at their limits to support stability within the country, which faces daily challenges of war and recovery.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy emphasizes the crucial difference between the concepts of technical flows and real export.
“The Ukrainian energy system is part of the European energy grid. When power systems are interconnected, technical flows occur between them. Some people, either mistakenly or deliberately, confuse this with commercial export, not understanding how the unified energy system operates,”
the ministry points out. So, if there is an exchange of energy at the borders with Poland, Hungary, or Romania, this does not mean electricity is being sold for money. This is a technical aspect of grid balancing, which does not bring Ukraine profit and is not a market transaction.
The increased domestic demand has remained stable despite generation losses. The population, industry, and critical infrastructure require constant supply, and all available resources are directed there. The issue of export can return to the agenda only after the full restoration of production capacities, when a surplus of generation is created.
The situation in the Ukrainian energy market today is an example of a tough balance between the reality of war, the demands of the times, and the needs of the country itself. All official sources confirm: electricity export is currently impossible, and the priority is the energy security and stability of Ukrainian consumers.
At this moment, the state cannot afford the luxury of export, even though technical integration with Europe has already taken place. Any resumption of export will become possible only after fully meeting domestic demand and restoring destroyed plants. For business, officials, and society, it is important to understand the difference between technical flows and real market transactions, in order not to fall victim to manipulation or unfounded expectations.
The key message is that right now, all the country’s energy must work for its own survival and development. In these conditions, export is not only impossible it would be a risk for the entire system. Therefore, the only priority is the domestic consumer, with no exceptions.
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