KYIV: Ukraine plans record high electricity imports on Wednesday (May 15) after significant energy infrastructure damage from recent Russian strikes on its energy system, the energy ministry said, warning that there could still be shortages in the evening.
Imports are expected to rise to 23,692 megawatt hours (Mwh) on Wednesday, versus the previous high of 21,072 Mwh on Tuesday and 19,484 Mwh on Monday.
“Today, emergency electricity supplies from Poland, Romania and Slovakia have already been made at Ukraine’s request. Emergency assistance is also expected to be provided during the day,” the ministry said in a statement.
“In the evening, there may also be power shortages.”
The national power grid operator Ukrenergo said in a separate statement Ukraine would import electricity from Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova.
The import volumes would be close to the maximum technically possible 1,700 megawatts hours which Ukraine is able to receive from the European Union states, it said.
Ukraine’s biggest private power firm DTEK said on Tuesday the maximum volume of simultaneous imports could be increased to 2,200 Mwh.
Ukrenergo and the energy ministry have said negotiations on the increase are ongoing.
