Ukraine's electricity deficit reaches 30%: Power grid operator

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Ukraine's electricity transmission system operator, Ukrenergo, reported a 30% electricity deficit on Friday.

"As of 11:00 a.m. [9:00 a.m. GMT], electricity producers provided more than 70% of the country's consumption needs… However, there is still a shortage of electricity in the power system. Currently, this is 30% of the total consumption. In this regard, both planned and emergency load shedding schedules have been introduced in all regions of Ukraine," the energy operator wrote on its Telegram channel. 
 
The company also stated that private consumer reconnection was underway but was hampered by "icing and broken wires in distribution networks."
 
According to Ukraine's Ministry of Energy, Russian missile strikes have temporarily disconnected all nuclear power plants, as well as the majority of thermal and hydro-power stations, from the national power grid.

Kiev's military administration reported a 70% power deficit in the city.

Read next: Russia increases shelling of Ukraine power infrastructure

Earlier, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on November 18 that about half of Ukraine's energy grid has been out of order due to Russia's missile strikes.

"On November 15, Russia fired around 100 missiles at Ukrainian cities. Almost half of our energy infrastructure is out of order. Under these circumstances we surely need additional support from our European partners," Shmyhal said at a press conference.

Shmyhal further said Ukraine currently needs additional military equipment and financial aid to purchase gas and keep public operations ongoing. 

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Tuesday that Ukraine's energy grid sustained the most massive missile attack since the beginning of the conflict with Russia. 

Moreover, Ukrainian national energy company Ukrenergo revealed on November 14 that one of Ukraine's vital energy plants was severely damaged by Russian airstrikes.

"Last week, one of the key facilities of Ukrenergo was damaged. This affected the [energy] supply of a number of areas, the situation in which is still difficult," the company posted on Telegram.

The Ukrainian capital of Kiev, as well as a number of other regions throughout Ukraine, is experiencing a difficult situation with regard to energy supply, according to the company.

Read next: Ukraine regions cut energy consumption after Russian strikes on grid