Kyiv Reservoir water level drops to meet rising electricity demand
Dropping water levels across Dnipro River reservoirs — including the Kyiv Reservoir — is associated with covering shortfall in generation capacity while Ukraine’s nuclear power plants are in maintenance, head of Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on Aug. 15. Ukrhydroenergo is Ukraine’s state-owned hydroelectric power plant operator.
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Syrota was commenting on reports from locals that the Kyiv Reservoir is currently shallower than it usually is this time of year.
“There is a need: [nuclear operator] Energoatom is trying to carry out a maintenance campaign on 9 reactors in a short period,” said Syrota.
“We have a deficit in the power grid and we are trying to cover it by our own means. We are trying to provide our citizens with electricity.”
He also added that due to the summer heat, there is excessive electricity demand.
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Moreover, the official noted that Ukrhydroenergo has just put in an emergency application to refrain from draining water from the Kyiv Reservoir any further, and instead accumulate it.
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Speaking about the situation after the Kakhovka HPP was blown up by Russian troops, Syrota said that the Kakhovka reservoir had a substantial potential: "We could drain up to 5 meters of water compared to only one meter in Kyiv."
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He also said that the Kakhovka reservoir covered all the water needs of the agricultural and industrial sectors in the region.
“The consequences of the water shortage will be seen next year, especially in spring," Syrota concluded.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
