In Ukraine, the construction of around 200 second-level engineering protection structures at priority energy facilities has been completed. These are designed to mitigate the effects of Russian attacks, particularly missile strikes, but cannot guarantee complete resilience in the event of a direct hit by several ballistic missiles. This was stated by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal during \u00abQuestion Time\u00bb in the Verkhovna Rada.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Shmygalya<\/strong>, the Ukrainian energy sector\u2019s defence system currently comprises two main components. The first is active defence using air defence systems and electronic warfare capabilities. The second is passive engineering and technical defence.<\/p>\n Monolithic structures are being built at priority energy facilities to contain the effects of strikes and protect the most critical equipment. As of 21 August, approximately 200 second-level defence structures<\/strong>. Work in the regions is continuing.<\/p>\n That said, the claim that such a defence system is supposedly guaranteed to \u00abwithstand ballistic missiles\u00bb requires clarification. Shmyhal stated explicitly that There is no such thing as 100 per cent protection against multiple direct ballistic impacts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00abWhen several ballistic missiles, each carrying a half-tonne warhead, are fired at a target, no defence system can offer a 100 per cent guarantee.\u00bb.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n At the same time, according to the minister, the main objective defensive structures<\/a> \u2014 to distinguish between total destruction of the equipment and damage that can be repaired within a few weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Preparations for winter are made more difficult by the fact that Russia is attacking facilities that Ukraine has only just managed to repair or build.<\/p>\n Shmyhal reported that, during 2026, around 4.8 GW of generating capacity<\/strong>, with a further 4 GW or so currently undergoing repair and refurbishment. In total, the plan is to refurbish or build more than 10 GW over the course of the year.<\/p>\n At the same time, the minister acknowledged that new Russian strikes could constantly force adjustments to these plans. He cited the example of the attack on one of the energy facilities on 20 August, which once again set back part of the repair programme.<\/p>\n That is precisely why the forecast for available capacity depends not only on the pace of repairs. At present, Ukraine has around 15 GW of available electrical capacity<\/strong> during the evening peak, taking into account imports and cogeneration. The figure is set to rise to 19.6 GW by 1 November and to 21.4 GW by the end of the year, provided that the restored facilities are not destroyed again.<\/p>\n Shmyhal cited decentralisation as one of the key ways to make the power system less vulnerable.<\/p>\n Instead of relying solely on large power stations, Ukraine is creating a network of small, autonomous sources \u2014 the so-called energy cells<\/strong>.<\/p>\n According to the minister, around 1.8 GW of distributed gas-fired generation<\/strong>, of which more than 400 MW have been connected this year. The plan is to add a further 800 MW or so by the end of 2026. More than 280 installations are currently at the installation or construction stage.<\/p>\n The logic behind this approach is that it is much easier to put a single large power station out of action than to destroy hundreds or thousands of dispersed generating units at the same time.<\/p>\n Shmyhal noted that the best progress in developing this type of power generation had been made in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions<\/strong>. At the same time, risks remain in Kyiv and the Poltava region.<\/p>\n\n
Around 200 energy facilities have been fitted with enhanced engineering protection<\/h2>\n
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Russia continues to target the restored power generation capacity<\/h2>\n
Ukraine is creating thousands of smaller power generation sources<\/h2>\n
Tens of billions of hryvnias have been allocated to the energy sector<\/h2>\n