Why shifting electricity consumption can improve Ukraine's energy system
High electricity consumption during peak hours creates limitations, as does consumption that is half as much during the night, which also leads to limitations.
The Moldovan Ministry of Energy suggests that if we were to shift consumption peaks to off-peak nighttime hours, as is done in many countries, we would have a more balanced energy system.
For example, on December 18, electricity imported from Romania amounted to 4,751 MWh, while total electricity exports reached 1,974 MWh, to both Romania and Ukraine. During peak hours, nearly the maximum import capacity from ENTSO-E, which is 305 MW, was used. Meanwhile, during off-peak nighttime hours, the maximum export capacity to ENTSO-E was utilized.
According to the Ministry of Energy, electricity imports from Romania are higher in December 2024 because MGRES is operating with two energy blocks. When MGRES operates with three blocks, it generates excess electricity during the night, as the technological minimum is 80 MW. A 200 MW block at MGRES cannot operate below 80 MW.
Previously, this excess electricity during the night was consumed by the MMZ metallurgical plant, thus balancing the system.
As a result of Russia’s continuous bombardments of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the 330 kV Podolsk power station in Ukraine was damaged, which supplies the metallurgical plant with two 330 kV power lines.
Electricity traded on the energy exchange during peak hours is more costly. In this regard, the Ministry of Energy urges all consumers to use electricity wisely.
It is important to note that, since March 2022, Moldova and Ukraine have been able to import electricity from EU countries after disconnecting from the Russia-Belarus energy block and synchronizing with the continental ENTSO-E grid. This was crucial in November 2022 when the Ukrainian energy system began being bombed by Russia, and MGRES stopped supplying energy to the right bank.
The total capacity of 2,100 MW is divided between the Moldova-Ukraine border blocks based on the number of interconnections and their voltage levels. Moldova has a single interconnection with ENTSO-E, the 400 kV Vulcănești-Isaccea transmission line, with 15% of the total import capacity, or 315 MW, allocated to the MD-RO border. The export capacity per block is 550 MW, with 82 MW allocated to the MD-RO border.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
