Rebuilding the Kakhovka Dam Is a Mistake, but What Should Be Done Instead?

Feb 29, 2024 | Viktoria Hubareva
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On 6 June 2023 Russian troops blew up the dam and the hydroelectric infrastructure, destroying it, and the accumulated water in the reservoir was released. Arguments in the media for the restoration of the Kakhovka Dam show that supporters of restoration – primarily state bodies and the state-run hydropower enterprise Ukrhydrenergo – intend to try and preserve the agricultural system. That is, they are seeking to restore the reservoir and dam to its previous Soviet scale. Rebuilding the hydroelectric station means restoring infrastructure that is wasteful by modern standards. Yet it appears that the decision to rebuild the Kakhovka Dam has already been made – far too hastily..