Ukraine will revise nuclear plant maintenance schedules and seek to increase electricity imports from Eastern European countries, its energy minister said on Tuesday as Ukrainians braced for the return of hourly power cuts.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Telegram that state nuclear power company Energoatom would revise its maintenance schedule to increase electricity production during periods of peak consumption.
The ministry said it hopes Ukrainian state companies will increase electricity imports.
The country's three nuclear power plants now produce more than 60% of Ukraine's electricity, though output is not sufficient to meet demand.
Temperatures across most of Ukraine have risen sharply since the weekend, driving a steep increase in electricity consumption, largely because of higher demand for air conditioning.
Transmission system operator Ukrenergo has imposed power restrictions for businesses and hourly cuts for all consumers from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (1400 to1900 GMT).
Emergency power cuts were introduced in the northern Sumy region after Russian attacks and because of hotter weather, a regional electricity distribution company said.
Nearly 600 settlements in eight Ukrainian regions were without power because of the weather, the energy ministry said.