Expert Skepticism on Replacing Large Power Plants
Energy specialists have cast doubt on the technical feasibility of substituting Kyiv's major combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) with a network of small-scale cogeneration units. They argue that replacing CHPP-5 and CHPP-6 is an unrealistic scenario, as it would require over a thousand small generators to meet the city's demands. According to these experts, mini-power stations are only suitable as backup power sources for critical infrastructure facilities, including:
- District heating utilities
- Water supply and sewage systems
- Hospitals
Kyiv's Substantial Energy Requirements
Kyiv's energy needs exceed 1.5 gigawatts, which complicates any plan to phase out the large CHPPs. Following a Russian attack on January 24, heating was cut off to 1,676 apartment buildings. Utility workers managed to restore heat to over 1,600 buildings, but connecting residential blocks to mobile mini-boiler plants requires complex preparatory technical work. As expert Sviatoslav Pavliuk noted,
“Connecting one such unit takes a month in the best-case scenario, but usually much longer due to technical difficulties.”
Therefore, despite the clear need to modernize the energy infrastructure, swapping large CHPPs for thousands of small units is not a viable solution for Kyiv. This challenge highlights the critical importance of reliable energy supply for Ukraine's capital, especially amid ongoing military threats and damaged infrastructure. Given the complexity and time required to implement new technologies, modernizing the power grid demands a comprehensive strategy that considers both technical solutions and the city's actual needs.