Power shortage in Ukraine's energy system down to 50% by 7 p.m., impossible to name exact deadline of recovery - Ukrenergo

MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax) - The power shortage in the energy system has decreased to 50% by the evening on November 24, all nuclear power plants have started gaining power, but it is yet impossible to forecast the deadlines of the full recovery, the Ukrainian electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said.

"As of 7 p.m., electricity producers covered about 50% of consumption needs in the country. A considerable amount of thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants are already operating, and all nuclear power plants, except for the Zaporozhye NPP, are gradually gaining power," Ukrainian media outlets said, citing information posted on Ukrenergo's social networks on Thursday evening.

The company explained the power shortage by the fact that the nuclear power plants producing half of electricity for the country are returning to operations as slowly as it is technologically necessary after the forced shutdown.

The energy network is ready for power plants' becoming operational, Ukrenergo said.

Electricity is being supplied to critical infrastructure facilities, namely, gas distribution grids, water utilities, purification and treatment plants, and hospitals, in the first place, and subsequently it is reaching household consumers, the company said.