Ukrenergo doesn't yet forecast electricity shortages in Ukraine

MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Despite the cold snap, NEC Ukrenergo records a drop in electricity consumption due to the sunny weather and does not forecast the emergence of a shortage in the power system.

"On Tuesday, despite the temperature drop (from -0.5 degrees Celsius on Monday to -3.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday) as of 9:00 a.m. the consumption level is 2.4% lower than at the same time yesterday. The reason is the clear weather that facilitates the operation of solar farms," Ukrainian media quoted the NEC as saying on social media.

However, the system operator noted that the overall levels of consumption remain high, so it is needed to consume electricity sparingly.

It is planned to put Unit 1 at the thermal power plant into operation after repairs on Tuesday.

After a short-term emergency repair, the thermal power plant building has been put on standby, and a total of five units of thermal power plants are in reserve and will be put into operation if required, the media reported, citing the Energy Ministry.

Electricity is being imported from Slovakia, Romania and Moldova in the morning and evening hours, totaling 4,743 MWh, up 37.4% compared to Monday. There are no exports.

It is reported that the grid in the Semyonovka community of the Chernigov region was damaged, over 800 consumers in six communities were left without electricity. Grids have been damaged in a number of other regions, in particular in the Nikolayev, Sumy and Kharkov regions, as well as in the Kiev-controlled part of Donetsk and Kherson regions.

In total, 349 communities remain without electricity for various reasons as of this morning, Ukrenergo said.