Scheduled power outages in Kharkov to be shortened - Ukrenergo head

MOSCOW. April 10 (Interfax) - The duration of scheduled power outages in Kharkov may soon be reduced 1.5 or 2 times, Ukrainian media said, citing Ukrenergo CEO Vladimir Kudritsky as saying on the national news telethon on Tuesday evening.

"Starting today, we are actually able to supply more electricity to the city, thereby significantly reducing the duration of scheduled power outages," Kudritsky said.

In his words, power outages in Kharkov reached six to eight hours in a row since April but will be reduced considerably in the near future and make it easier for households to wait until the city energy system is repaired.

As reported, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in a video address on Tuesday that necessary conditions were being created to mitigate electricity shortages in the Kharkov region.

"Necessary conditions are being created to reduce electricity shortages. Kharkov must have milder schedules," media quoted Zelensky as saying.

The media said that power supply schedules had been in effect in Kharkov for over two weeks after Kharkov Heat and Power Plant No. 5 was damaged and suspended operation.

As of 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, emergency power outages resumed both in the Nikolayev region and in the Kiev-controlled part of the Kherson region, Ukrainian media said, citing Ukrenergo.

The company explained the measures with the damage to networks. "Repairs are underway," the company said on a social network.

Media said earlier on Wednesday, citing Nikolayevoblenergo, that a massive emergency power outage had begun in the Nikolayev region.

Limits on power consumption by industrial enterprises were in effect in the Krivoi Rig district in the Dnepropetrovsk region on Wednesday morning.

Electric transport service was again limited in Kharkov.

In all, 382 populated localities are having a blackout in Ukraine.