The air defense saves Ukraine, but to relax early: what the results of half the heating season say are talking about
Despite all the fears, despite the shelling and all the problems that are in the markets, such as debts, the situation seems better than even optimistic forecasts that were announced in the summer or autumn. In fact, in almost two months of winter, the scale of shutdown was minimal. Of course, this is the reason. On the one hand, more air protection systems have made it possible to minimize the loss of shelling.
On the other hand, the weather is clearly on our side - most weeks of winter there was a plus temperature that determines lower volumes of electricity demand. And the fact that in January the temperature on some days reached +8 degrees, it clearly contributes to the fact that we live without schedules.
Although new gas and solar generation capacities have been installed last year, this increase cannot be called a boom, despite the fact that the conditions for connecting and commissioning new installations were substantially simplified. As I wrote, there are two key reasons: misunderstanding of business processes in the electricity market with a non-core business, as well as distortion of business models in the market.
Unfortunately, the wind generation, which has a number of advantages over gas and solar, has shown very small growths last year. Last year, Ukraine was installed up to 44. 6 MW of wind power plants, meanwhile in 2023 - 238 MW. Meanwhile, the SES capacity increased by about 800 MW last year. The SES capacity increased, in particular, the cancellation of VAT and duties on the import of solar panels and other energy equipment in the summer of 2024.
At the same time, there were problems with the introduction of wind energy benefits. Parliament is now preparing incentives that should solve the problem of low wind power construction. The growth of gas generation, of course, led to an increase in gas consumption. Against this background, the growth of gas production by Naftogaz is positive. Last year, Naftogaz - Ukrgasvydobuvannya increased the production of natural gas by 5% to 13. 9 billion cubic meters, compared to 13. 2 in 2023.
Last year, the company put into operation 83 new wells, of which 60 - operational, operational, And 23-search and exploration. Of course, all the positives of the first half of winter should not relax. Because, of course, the air defense systems are not enough to fully protect when shelling. And in the same way it is impossible to exclude the cold in February, which has traditionally been the coldest of the months in winter in Ukraine. Relax too early.