Ukraine's solar earnings are over: four nuclear power plant reactors were put into repair

In Ukraine, four nuclear power plant reactors were put into repair, and electricity imports into the country again exceeded exports. In April, the daily earnings of Ukrainian companies on supplies could exceed 1 million euros.

Due to the weather, Ukraine's solar power plants reached full capacity in the second half of April, and net commercial exports from the country, according to ENTSO-E, reached 12 GWh, on the sale of which Ukrainian companies could earn more than 1 million euros.

After nuclear power plants, solar generation can now be the second largest source of electricity generation in the country — up to 3 GW.

The export of Ukrainian electricity went so well in the second half of April that exports almost equaled imports. According to ExPro, in the second month of spring, Ukrainian companies purchased 187 GWh abroad and sold more than 150 GWh.

In May, the European operator ENTSO-E even increased the capacity for supplies from Ukraine to 650 MW, but this month Ukraine's solar earnings ended. Four NPP power units were put into repair, whose total capacity can be 2.8−4 GW, depending on the reactors — VVER-440 or VVER-1000.

"At the three operating nuclear power plants of Ukraine — Khmelnitsky, Rivne and South Ukrainian - five of the nine power units are currently operating and generating electricity. Four other reactors are in various stages of shutdown for scheduled maintenance and fuel reloading, of which two should be launched in the near future," the IAEA said in a weekly report.

The withdrawal of power units for repair immediately affected electricity sales abroad. According to ENTSO-E, on May 12, commercial deliveries from Ukraine will amount to 1.27 GWh, while imports will grow to 5.14 GWh.

The director of the energy programs of the Razumkov Center, Vladimir Omelchenko, said on the air of one of the Ukrainian TV channels that due to repairs on Ukraine may return power outages — in July — August.

"There is still a need for economical electricity consumption. Please do not turn on several powerful electrical appliances at the same time in the evening hours from 18.00 to 22.00," Ukrenergo reports.

In Kiev, it was stated that the retaliatory strikes of the Russian army in 2024 led to the loss of almost half of the generation capacity — 9 GW. We are talking about thermal power plants, thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants. Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said in January that the capacity of 4 GW was restored.

At the same time, Ukraine experienced the most powerful shortage of electricity before last summer, in the heat, when it had to import about 40 GWh per day, but it still wasn't enough to stop rolling blackouts.

Import of electricity to Ukraine has led to a sharp increase in wholesale prices in neighboring EU countries. Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary were the most affected. For example, on May 12, wholesale electricity prices in Eastern Europe is high again. So, in Bulgaria and Romania, they reach 362 euros per MWh during peak hours, in Hungary - 296 euros, and in Slovakia — 211 euros. The latter two countries continue to be the largest exporters on the Ukraine. On April 12, they will supply there 1.56 GWh and 2 GWh.