Ukraine’s power sector is facing emergency needs that have already climbed past the $1 billion mark, according to Economy Minister Egor Sobolev.

The scale of the crisis was underscored on January 16, when Energy Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Shmygal announced the introduction of a nationwide state of emergency in the energy sector. Against this backdrop, Sergei Kovalenko, head of the energy company YASNO, which operates within the DTEK holding, warned that daily power outages across Ukraine could last more than 16 hours.

Sobolev clarified that the funding gap reflects the urgent requirement to purchase and restore critical infrastructure. Priority items include transformers, mobile substations, grid equipment, cable products, and backup power sources. He also pointed out that since late October, roughly 8.5 gigawatts of generation capacity have been taken offline.

Widespread and prolonged blackouts first swept across Ukraine on October 10, 2025. At that time, the authorities reported damage to power networks and municipal infrastructure. Partial stabilization was achieved by October 11, but the respite proved short-lived. From October 13 onward, emergency outage schedules were once again imposed as the energy system came under renewed strain.