Ukrenergo records growing electricity consumption, calls for saving energy

MOSCOW. Aug 4 (Interfax) - Amid hot weather prevailing across Ukraine, the national power grid operator Ukrenergo has recorded growth in electricity consumption over the past week, peaking at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, when it was 4% higher than on Wednesday.

"For the power system, this means the capacity of several thermal power units that need to be switched on additionally. These are the hardest hours for the power system, as repairs at numerous power plants significantly limit the chances for employing extra capacity," Ukrainian media quoted Ukrenergo as saying on its social account on Friday.

The company again called for saving energy, especially considering the forecast for higher temperatures.

According to the ENTSO-E website and Ukrenergo, Ukraine is to import 3,324 MW/h of electricity from Slovakia on Friday (44.4% less than on Thursday) from 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and during evening consumption peak hours from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at up to 344 MW, as well as 46 MW/h of electricity from Moldova at up to 10 MW from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. The ENTSO-E website has not indicated the amount of electricity imported by Ukraine from Moldova for several months until present, which makes it impossible to compare the amounts imported on Friday and on Thursday.

Ukraine is not planning to export electricity on Friday.

A total of 400 communities in Ukraine currently remain cut off from power supply for various reasons. New grid faults have been recorded in the Kharkov region and in the Kiev-controlled parts of the Donetsk and Kherson regions, Ukrenergo said.