According to a study by Emporium, in 2026 providing eight hours of autonomous power costs approximately 45−60 thousand UAH for an apartment and 90−125 thousand UAH for a private house; the average cost per hour of running backup equipment ranges from 3.4 to 50.5 UAH.
How much backup power costs by scenario
Analysts examined four eight‑hour autonomous power scenarios — from basic lighting and communications to fully powering a private house. To maintain internet, charge smartphones and run LED lighting, a mini‑UPS (uninterruptible power supply, UPS), a power bank and battery lamps are sufficient; such a kit is estimated at around 6−7 thousand UAH.
If you need to power a laptop and monitor, costs rise to 24−27 thousand UAH for a system with an inverter and battery, while a ready‑made charging station of the necessary capacity costs about 30−40 thousand UAH. For an apartment with a refrigerator and television researchers recommend a station of about 3 kWh costing 45−60 thousand UAH, and for a private house — a system based on a hybrid inverter and LiFePO4 batteries with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) for 90−125 thousand UAH.
Difference in operating costs: generator versus battery
Although petrol generators are cheaper to buy, their operation proved to be the most expensive: the average cost per hour of autonomy in Emporium’s model ranges from 3.4 UAH for systems with LiFePO4 batteries to 50.5 UAH for petrol generators. The gap is explained by fuel costs, maintenance and equipment replacement.
The LiFePO4 model assumes a ten‑year service life; AGM batteries may need replacing every 1.5−2 years; and petrol generators require regular maintenance and repair. Generators are suitable for prolonged outages, but they may only be used outdoors: the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) prohibits installing fuel‑powered generators in apartments, garages and on balconies because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.
Demand and the “Blackout Basket” in 2026
Emporium also compiled a notional Blackout Basket Index: in 2026 the “Blackout basket” costs 70 377 UAH and includes backup power sources, lighting, communications equipment and other goods, some of which duplicate each other’s functions. Demand for autonomy equipment has risen: according to Google Ads, in August 2026 compared with August 2025 search queries for charging stations increased by 1015%, for inverters by 814%, and for UPS for routers by 1380%.
In seven regions (oblasts) of Ukraine the price of a charging station exceeds the average monthly salary, and in Kyiv buying one requires about 52% of the average monthly wage.
