Ukraine has lost 35-40% of drinking water reserves after Kakhovka HPP dam explosion - Ukrhydroenergo

This was announced by Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota.

According to satellite imagery and military video footage, the plant cannot be restored, so it will have to be dismantled and a new hydroelectric power plant built.

"The worst thing for us is that we lost 35-40% of fresh water. We had about 16 - 18.6 million cubic kilometers of water before the explosion. There are 3 - 3.5 million cubic kilometers left in the river bed. That is, you lost more than 15 million cubic kilometers of water," Sirota said.

He noted that Ukraine could consume such volumes of water during the year.

Syrota noted that the Cabinet of Ministers approved an experimental project for the reconstruction of a temporary hydraulic structure in July. To date, the project has been developed, and the estimate documentation is being finalized. Then a procedure will be carried out to determine the contractor that will carry out the work.

What is known about the Kakhovka HPP explosion

The Kakhovka HPP was occupied by the Russian invaders since February 24 last year.

On October 20, 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing to stage a new large-scale terrorist attack - to blow up the dam of the Kakhovka HPP in Kherson region. At the same time, he listed other consequences of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant explosion. 

On June 6, invading Russian troops blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, completely destroying it. As a result of the tragedy, settlements in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions were flooded. For a detailed coverage of the events click here.

The USA is carefully studying the evidence in the case of the Kakhovka HPP explosion.