KHARKIV OBLAST, UKRAINE, Apr 16 — The USAID Energy Security Project in Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and the Parliament’s Committee on Energy, is deploying a network of small and medium-sized cogeneration in the country’s regions.

A total of 91 cogeneration units — a “compact” thermal power plant — generating power from 50 kW to 1500 kW — were purchased for 32 cities of Ukraine. Their launch will ensure uninterrupted heat supply for more than 1 million residents of high-rise buildings and about 1,000 social facilities regardless of power outages.

Heating supply companies in the Kharkiv Oblast received six cogeneration units (CGT) in March 2024, reported the Ministry for Restoration.

As the Ministry for Restoration explains, cogeneration involves simultaneous electricity and heat production. Units generate electricity primarily for their own consumption, which allows cities to have an uninterrupted heat supply during sudden blackouts or planned power outages. Excess electricity can also be redirected to the grid for other consumers.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Minister for Restoration, said all mini-TPPs that were received kept providing heat and electricity to critical infrastructure and apartment buildings in the Kharkiv Oblast after the Russian shelling of the local energy infrastructure on March 22.

“Distributed power generation is a powerful tool for increasing the sustainability of local heating infrastructure and supporting Ukraine’s energy system,” Kubrakov said.

Russian missile attack on energy infrastructure on March 22 severely damaged Kharkiv’s Thermal Power Plant-5. It may take several years to rebuild and restore it. Power outages have been reported in the city and region. Now, the city is considering shifting towards decentralized heating because it’s not likely the TPP-5 can be rebuilt before the next heating season.

On the morning of April 11, Russian missiles destroyed a Trypillia Thermal Power Plant near Kyiv in another massive attack on Ukrainian critical infrastructure. This led to the loss of 100% of Centrenergo’s [public electricity and thermal energy-producing company in Ukraine — ed.] generating capacity. That plant powered Chernihiv, Cherkasy, and Kyiv Oblasts.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his interview with PBS News, released on April 15, said Ukrainian forces weren’t able to protect Trypillia TPP “because we had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles.” A $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine has been stuck in the U.S. Congress since autumn of 2023.

UPD from Apr 16, 8:28 p.m.: Fixed inconsistencies in translation.

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