Last winter, Ukraine faced an unprecedented challenge. A recent feature in the New York Times detailed the severe attacks on our national energy systems, revealing how russia adopted a scorched-earth approach to obliterate every link in the energy chain. The clear goal was to force civilian life to fail and trigger a humanitarian crisis during the coldest weather in a decade.
Yet, the article also highlights a profound success story. A total breakdown of the grid was averted through the combined efforts of the Ukrainian government, the private sector, and our international partners.
Throughout the winter, russia targeted power plants, substations, and transmission lines, attempting to break the grid into isolated pockets that could be crushed individually. There were moments when the grid appeared close to collapse, and residents of Kyiv spent an average of half of every day without power in January.
For our energy company DTEK, the physical toll on infrastructure and personnel was immense. Maxim Timchenko, the chief executive of DTEK, captured the daily reality for our frontline engineers by comparing the situation to "living in a 'circle' of destruction and repair". Facilities often came under fire again shortly after being restored, nullifying the immediate benefit of the repairs.
However, the response was robust and unified. Instead of focusing solely on repairs, Ukrainian officials and private operators strove to secure backup power. Western nations sent continuous emergency deliveries of equipment, with trucks crossing into the country roughly every other day carrying vital diesel generators and boiler units. Furthermore, households and businesses proactively installed portable power stations, generating roughly half of the capacity lost when the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant fell under occupation.
This war has demonstrated that infrastructure survival requires continuous adaptation. Energy experts note that to avoid a repeat of this crisis next winter, Ukraine must decentralise its grid. By building smaller, widely distributed facilities, stockpiling spare equipment, and better protecting critical infrastructure with air defences, we can make the system far harder for russia to target.
The survival of the Ukrainian energy system this winter is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through unwavering partnership. We thank all the international allies, government officials, and dedicated private sector workers who ensured that the light overcame the darkness.
