Ukraine's energy system has electricity surplus for 3rd day, renewable energy generating facilities' operation limited by 491 MW on Wed - Energy Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 29 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian energy system has been operating amid power surplus for the third day in a row, the key reason for which is sunny weather and increased active operation of solar power plants.

"Ukraine has recorded an electricity surplus for the third day in a row, with the surplus being transferred to Poland and the electricity output being partially limited during the daytime hours," Ukrainian media reported, quoting the Ukrainian Energy Ministry on Thursday.

The electricity surplus was transferred to Poland on February 28 at NEC Ukrenergo's request, totaling 988 MWh from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the ministry said. The load on renewable energy facilities was also cut by 491 MW.

The electricity surplus is also expected on Thursday, February 29.

Currently, 21 units of thermal power generation equipment are on standby.

On February 29, electricity imports are forecast at 2,497 MWh, exports at up to 4,797 MWh, the Energy Ministry said.

As many as 374 communities remained without electricity in the morning of February 29 for various reasons, Ukrainian media reported, citing Ukrenergo.

There is new damage in the networks of regional power utilities and power outages of consumers, in particular, in the Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkov regions.

Electricity consumption keeps falling throughout Ukraine, the system operator said.

On February 29, electricity is being exported during the day to Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova with a total volume of 4,795 MWh and with a peak capacity of up to 370 MW in some hours.

Electricity is being imported mainly in the afternoon and evening hours from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Moldova and Romania with a total volume of 2,497 MWh and with a peak capacity of up to 737 MW in some hours.