The Ukrainian government announced a state of emergency for its energy sector over the deficit of coal for electricity generation, according to Ukraine's Prime Minister Vladimir Groysman's announcement Wednesday.
After an extraordinary government meeting on Wednesday, Groysman said that the cabinet took the decision to declare a state of emergency, but will try to minimize the negative effect that will stem from the decision.
'The power blackouts will only take place in extreme conditions,' he asserted, while power cuts are foreseen at seven areas including the capital Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Chernigov, Zaporizhia, Sumy and Cherkasy.
Electricity power plants in Ukraine may run out of coal in 40 days with the likelihood of an ensuing energy crisis in the country, according to local media reports in Ukraine.
The anthracite coal, which is used for electricity production at the power plants, is unable to be sourced from the Donbass region that came under the control of pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country, it was reported.
The problem started last month when pro-Ukrainian groups halted trains carrying coal in an attempt to damage the economy of the pro-Russian separatists, according to local media.
Since then, the lack of coal in the power plants escalated to a critical point endangering the generation of sufficient electricity for the region's needs, media reports show.
Groysman called on the attackers to immediately end the blockage of anthracite coal supply from Donbass.
The state of emergency will be applied for one month and could continue to a maximum of two months, Ukrainian Energy Minister Igor Nasalik said, adding that they will inform the public before power blackouts take place to balance out electricity production and consumption.
Reporting by Ali Cura in Kiev
Writing by Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
ebrusengul@aa.com.tr