Russia lacks a realistic plan for modernization or technological substitution under international sanctions. Even within the occupation administration of the peninsula, officials now acknowledge that by 2031, Crimea could face a chronic electricity shortage, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
"Foreign installations require major overhauls"
The reason is the inability to carry out major overhauls of foreign-made energy equipment that is operating at the limit of its service life and requires maintenance unavailable due to sanctions, says Vyacheslav Afanasyev, Director General of the Unified Dispatching Administration of the southern Russian power system.
According to him, the total capacity deficit in occupied Crimea and the neighboring Krasnodar Krai is already estimated at around 2,000 MW.
“Foreign installations require major overhauls, but under sanctions this is impossible. By 2031, this equipment will fully exhaust its service life,” Afanasyev admitted.
Blackouts are becoming the new normal
In recent months, Crimea has experienced frequent and widespread power outages. The occupation authorities attribute this to “abnormally high summer temperatures,” but the real causes are far broader:
- physical wear and tear of networks and equipment;
- damage to energy infrastructure;
- consequences of military activity;
- lack of access to proper repairs.
