Ukrainian energy minister advises businesses to care about autonomous power supply sources

MOSCOW. July 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko has recommended that businesses provide themselves with autonomous power supply sources in case of emergencies in the national power system.

"If you have the opportunity to have some reserve, for instance, equip your facilities with autonomous power generators, have a plan B. We're doing everything possible for this reserve not to be needed, but if it does become needed, you'd better have it," Ukrainian media quoted Galushchenko as saying in a statement the ministry circulated following a meeting with European Business Association members on Thursday.

Galushchenko admitted that a substantial share of Ukraine's power infrastructure has been damaged, and the Energy Ministry is doing its utmost to repair as many power generating and transmitting facilities as possible and ensure power supply during the most critical period in winter. Apart from that, he said, work is being done to enhance the physical protection of energy infrastructure.

Galushchenko said earlier that Ukraine planned to restore 1.7 GW of damaged power generating capacity by the start of the fall and winter period.