The Energy and Coal Industry Ministry of Ukraine has retained the temporary ban on exports of electricity to Belarus and Moldova, to held balance supplies for the Ukrainian power grid, and ensure consumers aren’t affected by blackouts, reads a ministry report issued on Wednesday.

"In addition, for balancing the operation of the Ukrainian power grid in the conditions of shortage of fuel and water resources, the export potential of Burshtyn Thermal Power Plant Island [exports to the EU countries] is restricted with the purpose of using a part of its power units to cover [the power] burden in Ukraine," the ministry said.

The ministry said that exports of electricity to the Belarusian power grid were fully stopped from October 1 and to Moldova – from November 28, 2014.

As of January 6, 2014, coal stocks at thermal power plans and combined power plants stood at 1.396 million tonnes, with daily consumption of 80,000 tonnes and a supply of 70,000 tonnes.