Ukrenergo expects to again avoid power outages on Friday

MOSCOW. Aug 16 (Interfax) - Ukrenergo hopes that it will not have to introduce power outages across Ukraine on Friday, and, consequently, the regional distribution system operators will not need to use hourly outage schedules either.

"Power outages are not scheduled for August 16," Ukrainian media quoted Ukrenergo as saying on a social network.

At the same time, the company urged consumers to refrain from using several powerful electric appliances simultaneously from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.

As reported, hourly outage schedules have not been introduced for households and industry in Ukraine since July 30, except for August 8, when the power supply to industrial consumers and businesses was limited for 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. due to power generation capacity shortages.

However, Ukraine may reintroduce power outage schedules next week due to an anticipated spell of hot weather, which, in turn, is expected to increase electricity consumption, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk said.

"What we are going to observe next week [an rise in air temperatures] may prompt the electricity sector to again introduce outage schedules," Ukrainian media quoted Grinchuk as saying during the Ukrainian news telethon on Friday.

Maintenance is ongoing and equipment is being repaired at power generation facilities across Ukraine, she said, calling on consumers to use electricity sparingly.

Grinchuk also advised businesses to actively import electricity in order to protect themselves from power outages.

A total of 486 communities across Ukraine were without electricity either completely or partly on Friday morning for various reasons, Ukrenergo said.

Power supply has been restored to 16,030 consumers over the past day, the Energy Ministry said.