Ukraine and Moldova power grids synchronized with EU
One month into the Russia-Ukraine War, here are some important updates:
Following an urgent request by [Ukrainian power supplier] Ukrenergo and [Moldelectrica of] Moldova for emergency synchronization, the TSOs of Continental Europe agreed to start on March 16 the trial synchronization of the Continental European Power System with the power systems of Ukraine and Moldova. This acceleration of the synchronization project ongoing since 2017 has been possible thanks to the previous studies carried out and the adoption of risks mitigation measures.
A safe confinement structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl site.—SkyNews photo
Continental Europe TSOs are now supporting the stability of the Ukrainian-Moldovan power system following a positive analysis which confirmed that an emergency synchronization is technically feasible with a number of measures to ensure safe and secure power systems.
"This is a significant milestone for the Continental Europe TSOs working in collaboration with Ukrenergo and Moldelectrica that are operating their respective power systems under extremely difficult circumstances," ENTSO-E stated. "ENTSO-E would like to thank the European Commission, all TSOs involved and their national authorities for their support and assistance in the synchronisation process."
The New York Times reported on a particularly relevant aspect of the situation (for our readers): maintenance and power restoration amidst the extremes of war.
Militarily, the war has reportedly devolved into a stalemate. Satellite images partially support these claims, but a parallel information war makes definitive military progress nearly indiscernible. Both Ukrainian military leaders and Russian state media continue to widely discredit any claims made by the opposition. Among the few agreed-upon facts: The major cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Kyiv continue to be flashpoints of the war. The three are all under siege, bombarded daily, and experience both military and civilian casualties regularly. This would indeed support the narrative of a developing war of attrition.
Mariupol has taken the worst damage, and some war analysts believe it has jumped to the forefront of Russian efforts.
Earlier Thursday (March 24), leaders from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom met for a series of emergency summits in Brussels: one each for NATO, the European Union, and G-7 (Group of Seven) purposes. Sanctions were issued on members of the Duma (Russia's Parliament), and refugee acceptance was addressed (the U.S. said it would take up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war) at these meetings; while a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace was again denied.
The Washington Post reported on the fragility of Ukrainian nuclear sites during a state of war. Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia are both under Russian control, leading to overworked employees and managers who may be unfamiliar with the equipment, etc.
Reuters reported March 15 that a section of the Russian Yamal-Europe pipeline resumed eastbound gas delivery to Poland from Germany following normal, westbound supplies earlier in the morning, citing data from German network operator Gascade.
A maintenance worker on the Russian Yamal-Europe pipeline.—Reuters photo
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