Ukraine 30 times reduced electricity imports, 6 times exports

Electricity imports to Ukraine in the first half of 2020 decreased from 560 million kWh to 18.9 million kWh, that is, by about 30 times. The corresponding data was published on August 3 by Ukrenergo, the correspondent of the news agency reports. According to the energy company, electricity exports have also declined. Exports from January to March 2020 increased monthly by about 5%. However, already in April, the volume of exports decreased sharply and decreased by 6.8 times before the end of the first half of the year, Ukrenergo noted. The commentary says that the main reasons for the reduction in electricity exports and imports were a decrease in demand in neighboring countries due to quarantine, as well as the need to limit imports to Ukraine due to a decrease in domestic consumption and to ensure the operational security of the energy system. the news agency recalls that in September last year, the Verkhovna Rada adopted an amendment, which, after a long break, allowed electricity imports from Russia and Belarus. In the spring of 2020, the Ukrainian authorities revised the decision and again banned the import of electricity from the Russian Federation and Belarus, which significantly affected the country's energy balance. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine said that according to the basic forecast of the department, the country will not need to import electricity until at least the end of next year.