Report: Ukraine violates terms of power deliveries to Crimea-minister

MOSCOW, Dec 31 (PRIME) – Ukraine broke terms of a power delivery contract to Crimea a long time ago, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Russia 24 television channel in an interview on Thursday.

“The Ukrainian side has not been sticking to the contract on power delivery to Crimea for a long time. We have all seen the power blown up by allegedly uncontrollable armed people, who do not allow their repairs and other crazy stuff,” he said.

Power lines leading from Ukraine to Crimea were blown up in November and all power exports to the peninsula stopped on November 22.

One line resumed work later, but on Wednesday night the exports stopped again due to an explosion.

But Novak said that all vital infrastructure will be powered without Ukraine’s help.

“On the whole we must say that Ukrainian supplies account for no more than 10% of Crimea and Sevastopol needs,” he said.

He added that Crimea had 85% of its power need provided for with the help of its own generation and power flows from Russia.

“The lacking 15% is the current deficit, which will be covered when new underwater cables are launched until May 1 next year,” he said.

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