Naftogaz increases electricity imports to cover over 50% of own needs - CEO

MOSCOW. Jan 26 (Interfax) - Naftogaz Group boosted electricity imports from Europe on January 19-25, based on a government resolution and aimed to stabilize the power grid situation, Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Sergei Koretsky said, as reported by Ukrainian media.

"The volumes of electricity imports already meet over 50% of demand of all group enterprises, as envisaged by the government resolution," the media quoted Koretsky's statement on a social network.

A respective amount of electricity has been assigned for households, he said.

"We are coordinating our actions with the government in order to stabilize the power grid situation as soon as possible," Koretsky said,

As reported, the government tasked state companies with increasing electricity imports amid the worsened situation in the Ukrainian power grid.

First Deputy Prime Minister, Energy Minister Denis Shmybal said during the Hour of Questions to the Government at the Ukrainian parliament on January 16 that the government had tasked Naftogaz of Ukraine, Ukrainian Railways and some industrial enterprises with meeting at least 50% of their electricity needs with imports.

"That will make it possible to free up 1.5 MW for public needs," Shmygal said back then.