Ukrhydroenergo calls on Ukrainians to use electricity sparingly

MOSCOW. Dec 15 (Interfax) - Ukrhydroenergo CEO Igor Sirota has called on Ukrainian citizens to use electricity economically as the company's hydropower plants have to consume too many water resources in their reservoirs.

"A record high level of [electricity] consumption during this heating season was observed in the energy system in November-December. Hydropower plants are covering the capacity shortage, but, unfortunately, it leads to a decrease in water levels in the reservoirs. That is why, we call on Ukrainians to be energy-conscious and to use electricity responsibly," Ukrainian media quoted Sirota as saying during the national telethon on Thursday.

Ukrhydroenergo has fulfilled an order from President Vladimir Zelensky and the government, putting 83 hydropower facilities into operation for the fall-winter season of 2023-2034, thus providing the Ukrainian energy system with 4,640 MW capacity, he said.

The company has also fulfilled its public service obligations to compensate for the difference in the electricity tariff for the population, paying 19.8 billion hryvni in January -October, he said.

"However, there are also challenges. More than 100 state-owned companies that buy electricity on the balancing market have not been paying for it. It is already 30 billion hryvni, of which 8 billion hryvni is owed directly to hydropower facilities," Sirota said.

As reported, the Ukrenergo power grid operator has repeatedly called on Ukrainian consumers since the start of the heating season to use electricity sparingly due to the limited capacity of the country's power generating facilities amid the crisis.