Dnipro Hydroelectric Station's restoration to take years, says Ukrhydroenergo CEO Syrota

He made these remarks during an interview on Espreso TV channel.

"Unfortunately, repairing the damage to the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station won't happen quickly. Currently, we're focused on removing debris from the engine room, with the walls and ceiling destroyed, which is crucial before we can assess the engine room further. The height of the debris exceeds 35 meters. We recently met with Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration, in Zaporizhzhia on March 23 to request assistance from the State Emergency Service in clearing the debris. Based on our initial assessment, it's evident that restoring the station to its original design will take years. We won't be able to do it quickly," he explained.

He stated that the damage was significant, with over 6 rockets hitting the station itself, along with damage to the road surface and crane beams used for lifting shutters to allow water through.

"I believe that within a week, we'll be able to clear away all the debris and then discuss the consequences in more detail. However, many units have been hit, equipment has been destroyed, so there's a lot of work ahead. It's currently impossible to estimate the time and financial costs accurately. Some units will need to be rebuilt entirely, which typically takes between 18 to 24 months. Moreover, dismantling and installation will also require additional time. We understand the lengthy process ahead to rebuild the station. I'm not even mentioning the complete reconstruction of the engine room, which will essentially involve building a new one. Additionally, we'll need to assess the situation on the 4th floor below the station, where it's 25-30 meters deep, but we'll address that after clearing the rubble. Then, in about 10 days, we'll be able to provide an approximate estimate of the required resources," summarized Ihor Syrota.

• On March 22, the Russian occupation army launched an attack on Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant, resulting in casualties and oil contamination in the river.