Ukrainian Energy Ministry reports generation, electricity transmission problems

MOSCOW. May 8 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported on Wednesday the damage done to generation and electricity transmission facilities in the Poltava, Kirovograd, Lvov, Ivano-Frankovsk and Vinnitsa regions and the Kiev-controlled part of the Zaporozhye region.

Details are being clarified, Ukrainian media quoted the ministry's statement on a social media.

The ministry asked industrial enterprises to review production processes in order to lessen the load on the power grid and to use imported electricity to the fullest in order to enhance the power grid's stability.

According to the ministry, Polish, Romanian and Slovak power grids were providing emergency assistance at Ukraine's request during the morning peak on May 8.

Power supply may be limited on Wednesday evening.

Network restrictions in the electricity transmission system operator's lines led to scheduled power outages in the Kharkov region and Krivoi Rog industries on May 7. "The restrictions in these regions continue today (for 200,000 clients in Kharkov). No restrictions were imposed on clients in other regions," the ministry said.

The demand was met by domestic generation and commercial imports over the past day. At the request of Poland, Ukraine urgently exported electricity in the evening.

According to the Energy Ministry, bad weather has cut power supply to 31 populated localities in Ukraine, mostly in the Chernigov and Sumy regions.

Some 7,600MW/h of electricity are due to be imported today. No exports are planned.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian media said, citing Ukrenergo, that power supply restrictions are possible for households and industrial enterprises across Ukraine between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on May 8.

"The restrictions will be equally divided between all regions. Information about the precise power outage schedule for each region will be published on websites of regional electric companies," Ukrenergo said.