Ukraine could face five hours of daily blackouts during July and August if its energy grid comes under renewed attacks, according to state-owned energy operator Ukrenergo. Speaking to the domestic outlet RBC Ukraine, Ukrenergo’s chair Vitaliy Zaichenko said the company expects a 25% surge in electricity consumption during peak summer periods.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to Zaichenko, the 25% surge is expected during heat waves – above 30°C (86°F) – that last over a week, adding that two to three days of above-average temperatures generally do not overload the system. However, when asked by the journalist what would happen if the surge coincided with Russian attacks, Zaichenko said five hours of daily blackouts could happen. “Potentially, after massive attacks, it is possible not even two to three hours, but up to five hours during peak periods,” he said. Zaichenko said that Ukrenergo was confident it could cover the daytime period by making use of nuclear power, combined with imports, and distributed and renewable power supply sources, but during “the evening peaks, unfortunately, will need to be balanced at the expense of our consumers.” He said the issue is compounded by repairs at nuclear power stations and heavy use of air conditioners. “A planned repair campaign is underway in nuclear generation. We are currently at one of the lowest points in nuclear power generation, with a minimum expected in a few weeks – in the second half of July and early August,” Zaichenko told RBC Ukraine.