4 Years of War... The Reality of Ukraine's Energy Crisis

Recorded live at Energy Institute's International Energy Week 2026 in London, this episode examines Ukraine’s energy system on the 4th anniversary of the invasion against Russia. Host Alex Wolfe listens to Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, who outlines the scale of damage to power plants, substations and generation capacity and what this means for millions of people facing severe winter conditions. He shares what it takes to maintain operations, protect employees and secure emergency generation while rebuilding a damaged grid.We also hear from Cordi O'Hara OBE, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution, who reflects on the responsibility of electricity networks in times of conflict. She discusses grid resilience, decentralised energy systems and why energy security is now inseparable from national security.Maxim Timchenko is Chief Executive of DTEK Group, having led the company since its foundation in 2005. DTEK has grown to become Ukraine’s largest private energy group, with a presence in eight European countries.Since the invasion in 2022, Timchenko has directed the rebuilding of destroyed energy infrastructure and fast-tracked new, more resilient energy assets in pursuit of greater energy security. DTEK has spent over €15 billion on repairs and investments to become the country’s biggest wartime investor.Cordi O'Hara is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the UK’s largest electricity distribution network, serving more than 8 million customers across the East and West Midlands, South West and South Wales. As President, Cordi is accountable for National Grid’s £6bn investment programme that will be delivered until 2028, keeping clean, fair, affordable power flowing to homes and businesses across our region.• DTEK power plants more than 220 times missle attacks• Restored power to homes 36 million times• Invested €380+ million to restore damaged thermal power plants• Thwarted 213 million cyber-attacks (on average, 146,000 attacks per day)• In 2025, it lost up to 90% of capacity at thermal power plants• In total, 406 DTEK workers have been killed and 1,306 injured since 2022, the majority while serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine• 3,900 DTEK workers are involved in restoring TPP capacityDTEK Email: [email protected] Two is in Partnership with The SpectatorTickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchaseIf you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or [email protected] Our SocialsWebsite: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club Wolfe Power Club Production TeamFounder and Host: Alex WolfeDirector of Government Relations: Max AustinDesigner: Nick PelekanosEditor: Adam WoodwardSocial Media Manager: Bella Carter Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts, including Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast