Record electricity imports to Ukraine amid war and energy challenges

In 2024, Ukraine recorded a record level of electricity imports, reaching almost 4.5 million MWh. This is the highest figure in the last 11 years, which indicates serious difficulties in the energy sector associated with Russian attacks. At the same time, electricity exports from Ukraine fell to record lows - only 350 thousand MWh, which is a significant decline compared to the pre-war level.

According to the Energy Map portal, analysts indicate that the main reason for this imbalance is the constant shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure by Russian troops. Between March and December 2024, Russia carried out 13 large-scale attacks using 846 missiles and 866 drones. These strikes caused significant damage to Ukraine's energy system, which required additional efforts to restore electricity supplies.

The highest import figures were recorded in June and July 2024, when, against the backdrop of massive attacks, abnormal heat and planned repairs of power units were added. In June, the volume of imports amounted to 858.4 thousand MWh, which is 6% more than the total import in 2023. This was an important response to the electricity shortage caused by hostilities and weather conditions.

Ukraine imported the most electricity from Hungary (38.4% of the total), Slovakia (23.4%), Romania (18.5%), Poland (14.3%) and Moldova (5.4%). In these countries, Ukrainian suppliers found reliable partners to meet the needs of the domestic electricity market. At the same time, electricity exports from Ukraine, compared to the pre-war year 2021, decreased by 90%. The export volume was only 348.5 thousand MWh, with most of it going to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Moldova and Slovakia.

The peak of exports fell on March 2024, when 154.1 thousand MWh were exported, which was 44% of the annual volume. However, after massive shelling from May to September, electricity exports effectively stopped for 140 days. During the year, electricity was exported only 151 days, while imports almost did not stop.

This state of the energy balance in Ukraine emphasizes the scale of the challenges that the country faced in wartime. It also shows the importance of stable operation of the energy system to ensure the needs of the population and the economy in conditions of active hostilities and constant threats from the enemy.