Ukrainian Energy Exec: Leave Ukraine In Order To Preserve Electricity

[Webster]

BBC News: Leave if you can to save energy - Ukraine power boss

The head of Ukraine's biggest private energy firm says people should consider leaving the country to reduce demand on the country's power network. "If they can find an alternative place to stay for another three or four months, it will be very helpful to the system," DTEK chief executive Maxim Timchenko told the BBC.

Russian attacks have damaged almost half of Ukraine's energy system.

Millions of people are without power as temperatures drop for winter. Blackouts - both scheduled and unscheduled - have become common in many parts of Ukraine, as Russia aims regular waves of missile attacks at parts of the energy infrastructure.

Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that the strikes were a "consequence" of Ukraine's refusal to negotiate with Russia. Several Western leaders have said that targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.

Mr Timchenko, whose company supplies more than a quarter of Ukraine's power, says the system becomes less reliable with each Russian attack, and reducing electricity consumption is the key to keeping it running.

The government has urged people to limit their use of domestic appliances such as ovens and washing machines. But the damaged energy system is still unable to produce enough electricity to meet current needs, so any way of reducing usage - including leaving the country - should be seen as helping Ukraine to win the war against Russia, Mr Timchenko explained. "If you consume less, then hospitals with injured soldiers will have guaranteed power supply. This is how it can be explained that by consuming less or leaving, they also contribute to other people."

 

[Nebulous]

We get orders to conserve electricity all the time over here In California. I guess that's what happens when you squeeze 40,000,000 people into one state.