If the operating mode of Ukraine’s Unified Power System (UPS) is disrupted due to a shortage of generating capacity and/or violations of permissible power flows or unacceptable equipment overloads, consumption limitation schedules (CLS) are applied to balance the operation of the UPS. All industrial consumers and other consumers with a connected capacity of 300 kW are subject to these schedules.
If the introduced CLS volumes are insufficient or their effectiveness is inadequate, hourly outage schedules (HOS) are applied.
HOS include consumers that are not part of the critical infrastructure list, residential consumers, and non-residential consumers.
HOS are divided into six equal groups, each consisting of two equal subgroups.
Outage groups are clusters of electricity consumers that may be disconnected to balance the UPS in conditions of power deficit caused by damage to energy infrastructure as a result of massive enemy attacks.
This approach helps prevent grid overload, maintain system balance, and ensure the stability of electricity supply.
During martial law and for 12 months after its termination or cancellation, the maximum duration of a single outage under HOS may not exceed 6 hours, with a possible deviation of no more than 1 hour regardless of outside temperature, followed by a supply period of at least 2 hours, not including switching time. Switching time must not exceed 30 minutes.
The Chief Dispatcher of NPC Ukrenergo determines how many HOS groups are applied in different regions depending on the level of power deficit. This makes it possible to maintain the balance between electricity generation and consumption.
Electricity consumption varies across regions depending on the number of industrial facilities, critical infrastructure, and household consumers.
Outage groups are an essential tool for managing energy resources, particularly under martial law, helping maintain system balance and prevent large-scale accidents.
▪️ Consumers classified as critical infrastructure are not included in HOS groups.
▪️ If available power in the system increases, the number and duration of outage groups may be reduced.
▪️ Even within a single building, different stairwells may belong to different outage groups if they are connected to different lines.
