Electricity production in Ukraine covering 70% of needs - PM

MOSCOW. Nov 30 (Interfax) - Electricity production in Ukraine is currently covering 70% of needs, Ukrainian media reported, citing Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.

"Our energy system remains intact. All regions of Ukraine except Kherson region are being supplied. Electricity production in the country currently covers 70% of consumption needs, and 30% is the shortfall offset by consumption restrictions," Shmygal said at a government meeting on Tuesday, a video of which was posted on Telegram.

Power companies now face two challenges: not exceeding limits set by Ukrenergo and minimizing uneven outages for consumers, he said. The situation is difficult, but with a shortfall of 30% in the system, grid expenditure and powering critical infrastructure, 50-60% remains for households in every region to cover needs, which is sufficient to evenly distribute the burden of forced outages among all consumers, Shmygal said.

He also said that fuel shortages are not expected, despite a likely increase in demand for gasoline and diesel fuel. "With imports of diesel and gasoline generators increasing, we understand that demand for fuel could grow. But the economy ministry does not anticipate a shortage," Shmygal said.

The government is closely monitoring the balance of imports and consumption, he said. The country has been importing about 700,000 tonnes of gasoline and diesel per month in recent months and this is sufficient to cover demand, Shmygal said.