Ukraine’s DTEK buys 200MW energy storage systems in bid to limit outages

(UPI) – Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK will acquire storage systems with a total capacity of 200 megawatts from a subsidiary of renewable energy storage provider Fluence Energy to provide a backup for six power stations, DTEK stated on Monday.

Ukraine is currently grappling with an energy crisis, which has arisen as a result of Russia increasing attacks on its energy infrastructure, resulting in around half of the country’s available power generation being shut down and power cuts being implemented across the entire nation.

DTEK expects the power storage plants, located at various sites across Ukraine, to be operational by October – before the onset of the harsh winter season – with storage capacities ranging from 20 to 50 megawatts each.

In total they will supply the equivalent of two hours’ worth of power for around half of the households in the capital city of Kyiv, DTEK said in a statement.

“Battery storage is a vital component in Ukraine’s plan to create a decentralised energy system that lowers our carbon emissions and boosts our energy security,” the statement said.

As said, the battery-based storage system is supposed to allow for quicker restoration of power following power outages,

(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi in Gdansk; Editing by Nia Williams)