Ukraine explains why reconstruction of Kakhovka dam matters

He talked about plans to build a new hydroelectric power plant in an interview with Forbes.

"The Mykolaiv, Kherson, and parts of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions have the most sunny days in Ukraine, and they are also the largest wind zone. Therefore, these regions are best suited for the development of green energy. The generation of wind and solar power plants is unpredictable, so it must be balanced by traditional generation, such as thermal or hydroelectric power plants. That is why there should be a powerful hydroelectric power plant in the south of Ukraine to balance green energy," emphasized Syrota.

The head of Ukrhydroenergo emphasized the issues related to the existence of the Kakhovka reservoir:

• How to cover the water shortage in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro regions, which were dependent on supplies from the Kakhovka reservoir? The Kherson region lost 94% of water for agriculture and industry. The Dnipro region lost 64%, and the Zaporizhzhia region - 70%. There is no viable alternative.

• How to compensate for the loss of the irrigation system that was fed from the Kakhovka reservoir? It is also impossible to restore water supply to Crimea after its de-occupation without the Kakhovka reservoir.

• How to provide water to Zaporizhzhia NPP after de-occupation? The full launch of the plant after de-occupation is impossible without the restoration of the Kakhovka reservoir.

• How to ensure river navigation on the Dnipro? Currently, the depth at the site of the Kakhovka reservoir is up to 2 meters compared to the reservoir's 16 meters.

"If we can resolve these issues without restoring the Kakhovka HPP, then we can discuss whether it is expedient to build a hydroelectric power plant. But for now, a hydroelectric power plant is the only solution to these problems," added Syrota.

Currently, the Dnipro HPP cannot operate at full capacity due to low water levels. Instead of 10 units, only two often work. For its normal operation, it needs at least 12-12.5 meters of water, and it drops to 11.5 meters.

"We expect a difficult winter when we will need all the balancing capacity. That is why we plan to build an embankment near Dnipro HPP, which will raise the water level by 1 meter. It is important to do it before the start of the autumn-winter period. This is the first stage," he said. 

On July 17, Ihor Syrota said that it would take about 7 years to build a new hydroelectric power plant to replace the Kakhovka one destroyed by the Russian forces. The estimated cost of restoration is USD 1-1.2 billion.

What is known about the explosion of Kakhovka HPP

Kakhovka HPP has been occupied by Russian forces since February 24 last year.

On October 20, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing to stage a new large-scale terrorist attack - to blow up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in Kherson region.

 At the same time, he listed other consequences of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant explosion. Later, the head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Halyna Luhova, addressed residents in connection with Russia's preparation of a terrorist attack on the Kakhovka HPP. She published an algorithm of actions to be taken in the event of a dam blowing up.

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the Russian occupation forces blew up the Kakhovka HPP, completely destroying it. Evacuation of residents of dangerous areas of Kherson region began, and the President of Ukraine convened an emergency meeting of the Security and Defense Council.

Ukraine’s Energoatom nuclear operator stated that this could have negative consequences for ZNPP, but the situation is under control.

Instead, Natalia Humeniuk, head of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces, believes that Russia is trying to play another man-made blackmail card to put pressure on Ukraine.

The US is closely studying the evidence in the case of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant explosion.