Engineers have linked Ukraine to an electricity grid spanning much of continental Europe, allowing the country to decouple its power system from hostile Russia, officials said Wednesday.
Belgium-based ENTSO-E, which represents dozens of transmission system operators in Europe, said the electricity grids of Ukraine and its smaller neighbor Moldova were successfully synchronized with the Continental European Power System on a trial basis.
"This is a significant milestone," the group said.
Grid operators had been preparing such a move after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but the large-scale Russian military assault on Ukraine last month prompted an emergency request by Kyiv to speed up a process that was expected to take years more to complete.
A view of Power lines, electric power transmissions in western Ukraine on June 6, 2021. Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
ENTSO-E, whose 39 members operate the world's largest interconnected electrical grid, said the move means they will be able to help maintain the stability of the Ukrainian and Moldovan power systems.
The two countries were previously part of the Integrated Power System that also includes Russia and Belarus. This made Ukraine dependent on Russia's grid operator despite there having been no electricity trade between the two countries for years.
"This step will give Ukraine the opportunity to receive electricity if (Russia) continues to destroy our power infrastructure, and thus to save our power system," said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, who chairs the management board of Ukraine's grid operator Ukrenergo. "We are sincerely grateful to our European partners for their great support and assistance during these difficult times."
Georg Zachmann, an expert with the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, said the switch will allow energy suppliers in the continental grid that stretches from Portugal to Poland to supply electricity to Ukraine if necessary.
This could allow Ukraine to turn off some of the coal-fired power plants it currently keeps running to ensure grid stability, saving precious fuel in wartime, he said.
In the long, term, Ukraine could export surplus electricity generated by its nuclear power plants to the rest of Europe.
"It's a nice win-win situation," said Zachmann. "It might even be good for the climate."
Edraqt on March 17th, 2022 at 08:42 UTC »
The fuck is this subreddit? Half the comments either read like someone having a stroke or being about as informed about the EU as your average 3rd grader lmao.
Dr-Chibi on March 17th, 2022 at 05:59 UTC »
Welcome to the “let’s have standards” club
CurlSagan on March 17th, 2022 at 04:53 UTC »
That's a good choice. In my experience, European power is much tastier than Russian power. It's zesty with a lemon aftertaste, whereas Russian power reminds me of old apple juice that's turning into vinegar. By comparison, American electricity has a bold and bubbly flavor, like store-brand Dr. Pepper. Mexican electricity is similar, but it has slightly more voltage which gives it a beefy, peppery note. I've never tried Japan's electricity, but my fellow voltlickers say it's "a bouquet for the senses," and highly variable depending on where you are. Japan is considered to be the home of the best-tasting electricity in the world. The lowest-ranked power is from South Africa, which I would describe as burnt hotdogs. It can also cause you to temporarily lose your hearing. But if you really want to go nuts, try Guyana's power. It's 240v, 60hz. That stuff will blow your mouth apart.