Ukraine’s state grid operator, Ukrenergo announced that the maximum capacity for electricity imports from the European Union to the joint Ukraine-Moldova regulatory block has increased to 2,450 megawatts (MW) in January.
The rise from the previous 2,150 MW limit comes through cooperation among transmission system operators in the Eastern Europe Capacity Calculation Region (EE CCR), the continental European grid body ENTSO-E, and regional coordination centre TSCnet.
The increased technical capacity offers greater potential to balance Ukraine’s power system during winter demand peaks. Actual imports also depend on market conditions. The monthly determination of cross-border capacity supports more predictable flows, following recent joint auctions for allocation on borders with Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
“The increase in technical capacity for electricity imports to Ukraine during the cold period and amid Russian attacks is undoubtedly a positive change,” said Vitaliy Zaichenko, Chairman of the Management Board of Ukrenergo. “It provides us with additional opportunities to balance the power system and enhances its resilience to various threats. At the same time, it should be understood that electricity imports depend on both technical capacity and market factors. This means that key determinants include the technical capacity of cross-border lines as well as electricity prices in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, the January increase in maximum import capacity from EU countries is a factor that positively affects our power system. Incidentally, today we have already exceeded last year’s highest daily import volume.”