Crimea to stop being dependent on Ukrainian electricity in 45 days

Mobile power plants will be deployed across Crimea in 45 days and the republic will stop being dependent on electric power supply from Ukraine, said Crimean First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev.

"The period of peak problems will last for 1.5 months, until the deployment of mobile power plants," Temirgaliyev told a press conference in Simferopol on Monday.

"Power supply was halted to a number of Crimean districts on Sunday night and Monday morning under the pretext of repairs," he said. "The peninsula is connected to Ukraine with three transmission lines, which bring electric power to Crimea. One of the lines was allegedly put under repairs yesterday. We were informed this morning about repairs of the other two transmission lines. We have no illusions, we are perfectly aware that this is a political act of blackmail," Temirgaliyev said.

"The masterminds and initiators of these repairs will face the opposite effect: people of Crimea will understand even better than they made the correct choice on March 16," he underscored.

Hospitals, schools, kindergartens and administrative buildings will have sufficient power supply from Crimean sources. "We are fully prepared for "gifts" from Ukraine," he said.

"We have planned and begun the deployment of nine mobile power plants. They are being transported to Sochi. Two large steam-gas power plants are being designed. Their construction will take 2.5 years and the problem will be fully resolved," Temirgaliyev said.

Electric power generation will cost a bit more because of the use of mobile power plants. "Yet electricity charges will not grow. Generation based on diesel fuel is manifold more expensive but we have a mechanism of compensations and people in Crimea will pay the same fees," he said.

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