Dniester River shallows due deficit in Ukraine's power grid - Water Resources Agency

The Ukrainian State Agency of Water Resources reported this on its Facebook page.

From the beginning of the full-scale war, the Dniester hydroelectric power plant has been operating to cover the deficit in the power system. This is due to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure and an emergency situation in the Ukrainian power system.

Since mid-April 2024, the Dniester HPP has increased its water discharge. This was necessary to maintain the stable operation of the power system. However, this led to a significant decrease in the water level in the reservoir.

As of May 28, the Dniester reservoir was 66% full. Discharges from the reservoir are within the limits set by the Interagency Commission.

“Due to the Russian attacks on critical infrastructure facilities and the emergency situation in the operation of the Integrated Power System of Ukraine, the operation of the reservoirs of the Dniester Integrated Hydrosystem from February 24, 2022, was carried out taking into account the need to cover the deficit in the Integrated Power System. Starting in mid-April 2024, there were cases of a significant increase in discharge from the Dniester HPP of Ukrhydroenergo. This was a forced measure to maintain the stable operation of the Integrated Power System of Ukraine and led to a significant decrease in the water level of the Dniester reservoir,” the statement said.

The decline in the water level in the Dniester and its tributaries is also due to the weather - low precipitation and high air temperatures. The inflow to the Dniester reservoir is about 30% of normal.

Representatives of the State Agency of Ukraine for Water Resources appealed to regional military administrations to apply technical solutions to the operation of water intake stations, arrange alternative water intakes and optimize water use.

The State Water Agency also plans to agree on the optimal operation of the Dniester reservoir. 

What is known about Ukrainian energy system state

In March 2024, Russia began a new stage of massive attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector. On March 22, Russian troops attacked the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant. On April 11, Russia attacked critical infrastructure facilities in Kharkiv and the region, as well as in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Lviv regions. DTEK announced serious damage to its equipment as a result of Russia's strike on two thermal power plants in Ukraine. Centrenergo clarified that Trypillia TPP was completely destroyed.