Ukrenergo again resorts to emergency blackouts in Ukraine's central and northern regions

MOSCOW. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Ukrenergo, the operator of Ukraine's high-voltage transmission lines, has again resorted to emergency blackouts in the country's central and northern regions though the company on Monday announced only scheduled hourly blackouts.

"Emergency blackouts were introduced in Kiev, the Kiev, Chernigov, Cherkassy and Zhitomir [central] regions and the Sumy, Kharkov and Poltava regions [in the north of Ukraine] starting from 9:30 a.m." Ukrainian media outlets quoted Ukrenergo as saying on social media on Tuesday.

The company has explained the need for additional curbs with the growth of electricity consumption after air temperatures decreased, adding that it leads to a rise in grid load and electricity shortages in the power grid.

"The threat of accidents is emerging," it said.

According to Ukrenergo, routine schedules of hourly blackouts during the day on November 8 are valid throughout Ukraine.

Ukrenergo said early on Tuesday morning that scheduled hourly blackouts would take place in the country's central and northern regions on November 8.