SEPS: Slovakia to End Emergency Power Supply Deal with Ukraine (2)

Bratislava, 4 March (TASR) – The Slovak Electricity Transmission System (SEPS) will terminate its contract for providing emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, SEPS chairman of the board and chief executive officer Martin Magath announced at the Government Office on Wednesday after the cabinet approved the move via a resolution. "SEPS hasn't been providing emergency assistance since the moment the decision was announced. Today, the government adopted a resolution that legally completes the entire process. SEPS will terminate the contract with Ukrenergo on providing emergency assistance," said Magath. According to him, emergency supplies involve electricity supplies needed at certain moments to stabilise Ukraine's power grid. "It isn't electricity used for lighting, heating, cooking or normal daily life," he underlined. "We therefore strongly reject statements made by many politicians, activists and experts suggesting that we're going to completely halt any electricity transmission to Ukraine," stressed Magath . He added that SEPS has concluded emergency electricity contracts with various transmission system operators. "This particular contract doesn't contain sanctions, and there isn't even an obligation to provide emergency assistance if the situation in our system doesn't allow it," he explained. SEPS last provided emergency assistance to Ukraine in January of this year, he said, adding that Slovakia won't lose any money by terminating the contract. "If the Ukrainian side or any operator requests assistance from our dispatch centre, we're able to activate sources capable of supplying balancing electricity. We do this on the basis of solidarity, passing on all funds collected for this service to the electricity producers who generate it. Slovakia, the Slovak state, will not lose a single cent [by terminating the contract]," stated the SEPS chief. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 5-7 mf/df