Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant might not need to be rebuilt: Ukrhydroenergo specifies conditions
The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) may not have to be rebuilt should several technical issues related to the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir be resolved.
Source: Ukrhydroenergo, the state-owned Ukraine's leading hydropower generating company
Quote: "If we manage to resolve these issues without rebuilding the Kakhovka HPP, then we can discuss whether building a hydroelectric power plant is worthwhile. However, at the moment, [rebuilding] the HPP is the only solution to these problems," said Ihor Syrota, Ukrhydroenergo's CEO.
Details: The company names the challenges that will have to be addressed:
- covering the water shortage in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro oblasts, all of which were dependent on supplies from the Kakhovka Reservoir;
- dealing with the loss of the irrigation system that was powered by the reservoir and the water supply to Crimea after its liberation;
- supplying water to the cooling ponds of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (full launch of the plant after liberation is impossible without repairing the Kakhovka Reservoir)
- ensuring river navigation on the Dnipro (the depth at the site of the Kakhovka Reservoir has now dropped by about 14 metres).
Background: In early July, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, posted a photo of the terrible draining of the Dnipro River in the area of the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant in Zaporizhzhia. The photos indicate it is possible to move along the river bottom in this area on foot.
The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers wants to rebuild the Kakhovka HPP in two years, given that experts had previously estimated the minimum timeframe for recovery to be 5-7 years.
Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
