Power generation deficit persists in Ukraine - Yasno company head

MOSCOW. Jan 13 (Interfax) - A spell of warmer weather will make it possible to ease the power supply limits to a certain extent, albeit insignificantly, because the power generation shortage persists in Ukraine, according to Sergei Kovalenko, head of the Yasno company, which supplies power to Kiev.

"Is it possible to expect any serious improvements when air temperatures go up? One can expect certain improvements, but they will definitely not be drastic. Much time and a great deal of resources are needed to fully restore the energy system. At least, it is necessary to restore generation facilities, which are now being repaired," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Kovalenko as saying in a social media post.

The weather forecast shows that Thursday was the most difficult day to date, but air temperatures are expected to start rising in Ukraine from Friday, he said.

As reported, the Ukrenergo power grid operator has kept the round-the-clock power consumption limits across the country for the third consecutive day, but emergency blackouts were introduced in nine regions after these limits were exceeded in the morning.

Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian media reports, Ukrenergo decided not to apply the round-the-clock power consumption limits to the period between midnight and 7:00 a.m. on January 13.

"The Ukrenergo operator scrapped the nighttime limit for the region for January 13. This move makes it possible to get through the night without outrages," the Prikarpatyeoblenergo company said on social media on Thursday evening.

The daytime limit for January 13 is slightly higher that the limit set for the previous day and stands at 297.89 MW, as compared to 295.49 MW on January 12, it said.