Ukrenergo lowers electricity consumption limits, power outages may be lengthy

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Ukraine had a substantial power generation deficit as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, the Ukrainian media said with the reference to Ukrenergo information provided on a social network.

The company said that equipment was damaged, causing thermal power plants to stop or cut generation, and the deficit in the power grid grew.

"Therefore consumption limits were slightly decreased, proportionally, for all regions. The restrictions will be in effect over the day," Ukrenergo said.

There will be emergency power outages if the limits are exceeded, which means longer outages for consumers, it said.

Electricity distribution network operators said that Ukrenergo continued to apply round-the-clock electricity consumption limits for regional power supply companies on Sunday, January 15. The limits, reinstated on January 14, were cut by approximately 19% at night and 11% during daytime.

According to Ukrenergo, company facilities were damaged in five regions, namely, Kiev, Ivano-Frankovsk, Vinnitsa, Lvov and Kharkov, on Saturday.

The Ukrainian media also cited a statement by Sergei Kovalenko, head of the YASNO company supplying electricity to Kiev, as saying that the power grid had a huge generation deficit.

"The generation deficit in the power grid is huge. Some thermal power plants are not working as they sustained heavy damage. It is too early to say when they are restored. It is also unknown how long the repairs will take," Kovalenko said on a social network on Sunday evening.

In his words, the problem is so serious that Ukrenergo has substantially limited consumption throughout Ukraine, including Kiev. "The colleagues are in control of the situation and are looking for a solution to stabilize it," he said.

Kovalenko reported substantial damage. "All energy personnel are doing the restoration work, yet we should brace for lengthy power outages," Kovalenko said.