Moscow - Ukraine limited electricity supplies to consumers in Crimea on Wednesday and threatened to cut power altogether if quotas were breached, a move to try to ease a power crisis on the mainland triggered by a separatist conflict in its east.
Kiev has declared a state of emergency on the electricity market after months of fighting between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces disrupted supplies to thermal power plants (TPP), which provide around 40% of Ukraine's electricity.
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The southern peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March, depends on Ukraine for around 80% of its power.
State electricity company Ukrinterenergo said supplies to Ukrainian citizens took precedence.
"The priority for Ukrinterenergo is the interests of Ukrainian citizens for whom conserving power is becoming an urgent issue," it said in a statement.
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"If the limits are not adhered to by the consumers of Crimea, the company will be forced to completely turn off supply lines to the peninsula."
It said flows would be limited to 300 megawatts (MW) in the morning and evening, 500 MW during the day and 600 MW at night. Average consumption in Crimea is usually 1 000 MW, according to Ukrinterenergo.