Ukrenergo reports difficult situation in Ukraine's power grid

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Three thermal power plant units and one heat and power plant unit resumed operation in Ukraine by Tuesday morning, yet the power grid situation remains difficult, Ukrenergo said.

"Some thermal power plant units are being repaired, while solar power plants are unable to generate electricity because it is cloudy," Ukrainian media said, quoting the power grid operator's statement on a social network.

At the same time, power consumption decreased by 1.6% on Tuesday morning due to warmer weather but remained high, thus additionally burdening the power grid, the operator said. On Monday, the daily consumption peaked in the morning and was only 0.4% smaller than this heating season's record of December 7.

"So, it is crucial to be careful about using energy-intensive electrical appliances and be energy efficient," Ukrenergo said.

Emergency assistance received from Romania and Poland for the fifth consecutive day on Monday since December 7 due to insufficient generation stood at 3,400 MW/h.

"At the same time, there were no consumption limits or scheduled power outages and no such plans," Ukrenergo said.

The operator noted that the capacity of its high-voltage power transmission lines is sufficient for meeting the demand.

There are still no exports, while imports are almost 20% higher than they were on Monday: imports from Slovakia and Romania totaled 2,700 MW/h in the morning and evening (versus 2,306 MW/h the day before), with the maximum capacity of 667MW in certain hours (it has been technically possible to export 1,700MW of electricity since December 1).

According to Ukrenergo, bad weather cut power supply to 193 populated localities in the Dnepropetrovsk and Ternopol regions and Kiev-controlled parts of the Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions on Tuesday morning.

There is no power supply to 432 populated localities for other reasons.