Insight |
Above: Flooded villages and houses are a consequence of the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant
Above right: The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam led to a catastrophic decrease in the water level in the Dnipro river. Photo taken on 9 June 2023 © PhotOleh /
Shutterstock.com
importance of using science from organisations
to inform humanitarian and environmental response to disasters and emergencies across the globe,” Professor Harry Dixon, Associate Director of International Research and Development, UKCEH, commented.
Second attack In March 2024 the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant
References
UKCEH & HRW, 2023. A rapid assessment of the immediate environmental impacts of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam, Ukraine. Report prepared by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and HR Wallingford for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Expert Advisory Call Down Service 2 Lot 4 Rapid Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam, Ukraine. 29 June 2023. 10.5281/zenodo.1046280
in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, also fell victim to a missile attack, delivering another blow to the country’s energy infrastructure. According to Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine’s state- owned hydropower company, the assailants targeted the hydraulic structures and dam, posing a significant threat of an environmental disaster. Emergency services and power engineers worked tirelessly to contain the damage caused by the air strikes and despite the severity of the situation, there was no imminent danger of a breach. Dnipro is the most powerful station in the Dnipro cascade and plays an important role in ensuring the stability of Ukraine’s power system. Ihor Syrota, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo underscored the immense challenges ahead, emphasising the urgency of implementing swift and coordinated efforts to mitigate the crisis with support from international partners. “Given the scale of the destruction, we must do everything possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Restoring what was destroyed in a moment will take years and cost billions of hryvnias. We need increased support from the international community,” he stated.
Ukrhydroenergo is currently undertaking all feasible measures to minimise the impact on the country’s energy system, including mobilising resources, rapidly repairing the damaged facilities, and enhancing security protocols. In the context of the power system and two recent attacks on hydropower dams, Ukraine has lost more than 1000 MW of regulating capacity which is serious loss for the power system now. In response to the attacks, Eddie Rich, CEO of the
International Hydropower Association, expressed deep concern and condemnation, emphasising the need to safeguard hydroelectric assets from being weaponised for destructive purposes. “We are deeply concerned to learn of the recent missile attacks on the Dnipro hydropower plant in Ukraine. Our thoughts and prayers for safety and peace go out to everyone affected,” Rich said. “The International Hydropower Association condemns in the strongest possible terms any action that seeks to weaponise hydroelectric assets that are designed to provide clean, reliable and affordable energy and water supply for all.” In March 2024 the European Investment Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ukrhydroenergo, on enhanced support for its hydropower facilities. EIB will provide further support as a key implementing partner of the European Union’s €50billion Ukraine Facility and the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Fund.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: “We
Dnipro River cascade The Nova Kakhovka Dam is the downstream dam of the Dnipro River cascade system built to regulate and control the flow of water along this major transboundary river with headwaters near Smolensk, Russia, and flowing through Belarus, before entering Ukraine on its journey to the Black Sea. The Dnipro is the largest of Ukraine’s nine river basins covering some 65% of the country’s entire drainage basin.
The cascade consists of six dams built between 1932 and 1976 over a distance of 855km. The Kakhovka Reservoir was the largest in Ukraine in terms of volume (18.18×109m3) and was 230km long. Constructed in 1956, Nova Kakhovka Dam and its associated Kakhovka
Reservoir performed several functions including hydroelectric power generation, and the provision of cooling water to a nuclear power station, irrigation water for agriculture, and drinking water for surrounding human settlements.
are grateful for the EIB’s unwavering support and significant contribution to Ukraine’s energy security. Due to the actions of Russian terrorists, Ukraine’s hydropower has lost about 2500MW of capacity. With the help of our partners we were able to already restore more than 1500MW. The restoration continues and will accelerate. We value the active role and support that EIB provides for the projects in key sectors of the Ukrainian economy.” EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, in charge of the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, added: “By focusing on critical infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector, we aim not just to meet immediate recovery needs but also to lay a strong foundation for Ukraine’s sustainable development. We stand ready to support Ukraine’s main hydropower generation company, Ukrhydrenergo, to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security at a time of repeated attacks on civil power infrastructure by Russia.”
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