Crimea, experiencing energy blockade by Ukraine, is now directly connected to the power grid of Russia – the First Channel

Late in the evening has started the first phase of an energy bridge from the Krasnodar region of the peninsula: the cable routed through the Kerch Strait. At the launch ceremony attended line arrived in Simferopol Vladimir Putin. Power thread – 200 megawatts, and later this month and is scheduled to launch the second stage of the bridge, doubling its capacity.

Get off at full capacity and thus get rid of energy dependence on the part of Ukraine is scheduled for the beginning of the summer season. In the meantime, the president said at the opening ceremony, there may be some failures in the new equipment. Vladimir Putin thanked all those involved in the project and expressed the hope that the new lines are to be built as well ahead of schedule.

“We are today an important event. We are now starting to work on the accession of the Crimean Peninsula to the unified energy system of Russia. You have done a great job associated with providing, reliable software Crimea electricity. 100, more than 100 kilometers of high-voltage power lines built. Today, we connect the first circuit.

I hope that, as They agreed, and perhaps before, not by December 20, and a little earlier, at least to the 15th will start the second circuit, and it will have 400 megawatts “.

Energy Minister Alexander Novak gave team manager of the Crimean power system to report on the readiness of the coupling of the Crimean energy system of the Unified Energy System of Russia.

“Crimean energy system is ready for connection to the Unified Energy System of Russia. Ready to take the load and connect consumers,” – reported the manager of the Crimean power system.

Also, Vladimir Putin thanked the Crimean for restraint in the situation with energy blockade of the peninsula and for their confidence in government. Since the launch of the first phase of an energy bridge Crimea started getting 100 megawatts per hour. The remaining 100 will be recruited during the day.

The objects of the new line taken under heavy guard because of threats by the Ukrainian nationalists who had previously undermined support and high voltage power lines in the Kherson region.

Crimean authorities can in the coming days to cancel the state of emergency, entered after the cessation of the supply of electricity from Ukraine. In Sevastopol, a special position is to keep the total elimination of any restrictions in the energy supply. Anyway, now makes the new, softer graphics rolling blackouts.