Ukraine sees energy consumption growth for 2nd consecutive day - Ukrenergo

MOSCOW. March 7 (Interfax) - The electricity consumption keeps growing throughout Ukraine for the second day in a row amid cold and cloudy weather.

"Today, March 7, as of 09:30 a.m., consumption has increased 4.5% compared to the same time yesterday," Ukrainian media reported, citing Ukrenergo.

The daily peak of electricity consumption was seen around 7:00 p.m. on March 6 and exceeded the corresponding figure on March 5 by 3.6%, it said.

"The cold snap by 2.2 degrees Celsius down and increased consumption from the grid by owners of rooftop solar power plants who reduced production due to dense cloud cover are the reasons behind this," the Ukrainian system operator said.

At the same time, a shortage in the country's power system is not expected.

A nuclear power plant, which has been operating with limitations due to the repair of a 330 kV overhead line, has regained its planned capacity levels, the company said. Hydropower plants continue to increase their output amid floods.

"At night, wind power plants were increasing production. Currently, their capacity is falling, and cloudy weather is obstructing the operations of solar power plants," the NEC added.

As the operator said, on March 7, electricity is being exported during the day to Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova with a total volume of 12,655 MWh with a peak capacity of up to 703 MW in some hours.

Electricity is being imported in the evening hours from Slovakia, Hungary and Romania with a total volume of 221 MWh and with a peak capacity of up to 154 MW in some hours.

The 330 kV overhead line, which had been put under repair due to damage, has been put back into operation, Ukrenergo said.

The power supply to all consumers cut off from electricity on March 6 has been restored in the Khmelnitsky region.

In total, 359 communities remain without electricity throughout Ukraine for various reasons as of Thursday morning.