Ukraine’s Substations Face Major Transformer Protection Gaps
Only three of Ukrenergo’s 84 high-voltage substations have underground shelters for relay protection systems, while reinforced-concrete structures protect just one-third of the utility’s transformers, Ukrainian lawmaker Serhiy Nahornyak said on Nov. 6.
Speaking to Radio NV, Nahornyak said Russian forces are increasingly targeting electricity transmission infrastructure rather than generation facilities.
“Right now, the enemy has concentrated its salvos directly on logistics rather than generation facilities. They are fully aware that we retain the capacity to generate substantial volumes of electricity,” he said.
Ukrenergo’s substations contain two or more 330/110 kV step-down transformers. Nahornyak warned that transformers without concrete protection remain vulnerable to precision strikes, underscoring the importance of physical protection measures for substation equipment.
Only three substations have underground shelters for relay protection and automation equipment, highlighting the need for robust relay protection systems.
“There must be 84 of them. Only then will we command guaranteed electricity transmission,” according to Nahornyak.
The warning follows a major attack on Ukraine’s power grid on Nov. 3.
Source: nv.ua
