Ukraine mulling electricity exports to Europe

MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Stabilization of the Ukrainian energy system and a certain standby capacity make it possible to discuss electricity exports to Europe, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.

"The issue of exports is already on the table today. It is being considered," the Ukrainian media quoted him as saying during a national telethon on Friday.

He said that depending on volume, this could bring Ukraine up to $70 million a month and contribute to the restoration of energy facilities.

But Ukraine would not export electricity in the event of a shortage, he said.

The Ukrainian Energy Ministry halted electricity exports on October 11. Capacity authorized by ENTSO-E, the European network of transmission system operators, is 400 MW for export and 850 MW for import.

The head of Ukrhydroenergo, Igor Sirota, has said in an interview with Ukrainian media that there has been a round-the-clock surplus of electricity in Ukraine for several weeks now, and it would make sense to sell this.