Ukrainian PM describes electricity import from Belarus as probable in frosty weather

MINSK, 2 November (BelTA) – Ukraine will import an additional amount of electricity from Belarus if weather conditions are unfavorable in winter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal made the statement at a media briefing after a working trip to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reports.

Denys Shmyhal said: “If temperature falls, obviously it will be necessary to take additional measures. The Energy Ministry has worked them out. The relevant plan is available. There is a Plan B for an even more complicated situation. Probably additional import from Belarus may be needed if the weather is bad.”

The official reminded that the prohibition against importing electricity from Belarus is no longer in effect as of 1 November. It is physically and legally possible to import electricity from Belarus, he said. “It is up to companies, to the energy market, whether they will use the opportunity if need be. Opportunities are available,” Denys Shmyhal noted.

The Ukrainian prime minister also explained that Ukraine may physically import 900MW of electricity from Belarus. “If the companies come to terms on cooperation, then obviously it is physically possible. There are no import agreements for now,” Denys Shmyhal added.

In late May 2021 the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission, which oversees energy industry and utilities industry in Ukraine, prohibited the import of Russian and Belarusian electricity to Ukraine till 1 October 2021. In September the commission extended the prohibition till 1 November.

Ukrenergo Company has held an auction to distribute access to interstate power lines in November 2021. As a result of the auction, Ukrainian companies bought the ability to import 2.2GW of electricity from Russia and 900MW of electricity from Belarus. However, on 30 October Andrei Gerus, Chairman of the Energy and Housing and Utilities Committee of the Ukrainian parliament, said that Ukrainian companies would be unable to resume electricity import from Russia and Belarus.