Mitigating threats: Head of Ukrhydroenergo discusses underground PSPP and threats to Kyiv

"Even if the Russians had launched a massive missile attack on the Kyiv HPP and managed to pierce the dam, a repeat of the disaster that happened in Kherson Oblast is impossible," Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota tells LIGA.net.

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Statements about "preparations for a terrorist attack" at the Kyiv and Kaniv hydroelectric power plants, which Russia has begun to spread, are manipulative techniques, he assures.

"First, accuse someone of blowing them up, and then blow them up yourself," explains Syrota. "All these statements by Russia are solely to sow chaos and panic in Ukraine."

In an interview with LIGA.net, Ihor Syrota delves into the potential repercussions of damage to the dam at the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant and illuminates the rationale behind proposals for constructing an underground pumped storage power plant (PPSP).

$1.2 billion and 7-8 years to rebuild the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant

LIGA.net: Will it be possible to restore the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant after de-occupation?

Ihor Syrota: I am convinced that we will be able to rebuild Kakhovka HPP. It will be more powerful, because we had previously planned to build another station next to Kakhovka HPP – HPP-2. Now we plan to build one station with a capacity of about 600 MW.

After the bombing of the plant, the government approved a resolution on the implementation of a pilot project for the construction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. As part of the first stage, we, together with a design institute, designed the structures as part of the preparatory activities for the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. We also developed a project for a retaining structure in the lower pool (part of the reservoir adjacent to the hydraulic structure – Ed.) of the Dnipro HPP.

However, given the need to ensure the safety of the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant and the situation at the Dnipro HPP after this year's missile strikes, the construction of the retaining structure is impossible until the plant is fully restored.

As for the second stage, it will begin only after de-occupation. We expect to build temporary structures on both the upper and lower sides of the reservoir. This will allow us to drain the explosion site, conduct the necessary examinations, dismantle the destroyed facilities and build a new station.

When will the new Kakhovka HPP start operating? What is the timeframe and cost of its restoration?

It will take years to rebuild the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. The reservoir can be restored in a few years. The construction of the power plant itself, according to preliminary estimates, may take five to six years. Together with the examination and dismantling, the restoration will take about seven to eight years. As for the exact amount of money needed for the restoration, we cannot say yet, but it can be estimated to be between $1 billion and $1.2 billion.

Are there any partners who are ready to help with the restoration of the hydroelectric power plant?

I think the rebuilding of Kakhovka will be a landmark event. We are currently discussing the preliminary steps of possible cooperation with potential partners. But there are no specifics yet, because we need to de-occupy the territories.

"There will be no more disasters like the Kakhovka HPP"

Could the tragedy in Kakhovka be repeated in terms of scale and consequences?

Even if the Russians had launched a massive missile strike and managed to pierce the dam, a repeat of the disaster in Kherson Oblast is impossible. First of all, because the Kakhovka reservoir was almost six times larger than the Kyiv or Kaniv reservoirs. Therefore that amount of water that came out of the reservoir then cannot possibly leak out.

Russia claims that "Ukraine is preparing a terrorist attack on the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant." They made similar statements about the Kakhovka plant before the deliberate detonation in order to shift the responsibility for the crime. How real is the threat?

This is a manipulative technique of Russia. First, they accuse someone of blowing it up, and then blow it up. As for the Kakhovka plant, the responsibility for the terrorist attack lies entirely with Russia. From the first day of the occupation, they took control of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. At the end of September, they expelled all Ukrainian employees. That is, the station became a military facility. The occupiers had the time and opportunity to bring in explosives and plant them where the worst consequences of the explosion could be achieved, which they did.

"In order to repeat this scenario in Kaniv or Kyiv, which the Russians are talking about, they need to seize these stations, have time and opportunity to bring in explosives. Fortunately, thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the occupiers do not have such an opportunity now."

All of these statements by Russia are solely intended to sow chaos and panic in Ukraine.

If the dam of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant were to break, how far could the water go?

It is impossible to destroy the Kyiv HPP with a missile strike. If we hypothetically imagine a breach, it could flood basements. At most, the water would reach the first floors.

But I want to remind you that people in Ukraine have built houses in floodplains, that is, in areas that can be flooded even during normal floods and high waters. Often people build housing, neglecting the standards for construction in coastal zones. It is logical that they are at risk of flooding.

"The flood zone is an area over 100 meters from the river. People often build 10-15 meters away."

If we consider the consequences of missile hits on the plant and equipment, massive attacks have led to the decommissioning of the Dnipro HPP. Restoring it will take a lot of money and time.

Kaniv PSPP underground. How to protect critical infrastructure

What is needed to maximize the protection of critical infrastructure?

First of all, we need to protect people's lives. After all, a country cannot exist without people. We need to protect the front line, where the military is working, because they are the first to face this threat. And then we need to protect the entire energy sector. This includes nuclear generation, hydro generation, and thermal power. Energy plays a crucial role for the country today. And we need to protect this infrastructure – the whole world sees this.

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"An unlikely scenario". Ukrhydroenergo on the threat of Russia's destruction of the Kyiv HPP dam

In total, Ukrhydroenergo's plants were attacked 120 times [during the full-scale invasion]. Unfortunately, Russia is achieving its goal because our skies are not sufficiently closed. Therefore, the answer is obvious – we need air defense systems and missiles for them.

Speaking of energy in general, what role do Ukrhydroenergo's HPPs and PSPPs play in the energy system, and what is the percentage of hydro generation in the system?

It is quite important as we provide peak load coverage, frequency and power regulation, and mobile emergency reserve in the power system.

The share of hydropower generation in the country's overall power system is 10-11%.

No power system in the world has ever faced such challenges as the Ukrainian one. We must use the experience gained to strengthen our power system as much as possible.

What exactly do you mean by that?

For example, we are making changes to the construction project of the Kaniv PSPP. It should be inaccessible to the enemy. Therefore, there are plans to build it underground.

The biggest challenges for the energy sector now are to recover as quickly as possible, protect the facilities as much as possible, and think about the future.

"We have to build infrastructure that is sustainable."

Is there an opportunity to expand capacity in the hydropower sector?

We need to build PSPPs, because they can be both a "consumer" of excess electricity generated by other plants and supply it to the grid as needed.

We are working on projects, but our priority is to protect the facilities, prepare for winter, and generate electricity to supply Ukrainians.