"Early in the morning on December 5, a fire broke out at Sukhum-1 substation. As a result of the fire, all the substation equipment burned out and, as a result, the entire town was de-energized. In fact, we had an emergency. All Chernomorenergo services were involved in elimination the consequences of the fire, taking the necessary measures to connect part of the town districts and install new equipment.The most important factor that allowed us to resolve the issue quickly enough is that this substation had to be reconstructed during this year, although the funds for its reconstruction was envisaged back in 2019. The fact that the equipment had already been delivered and we had the opportunity to urgently start work allowed us to quickly and effectively cope with the task, " Christina Ozgan told reporters.

On behalf of President and the Government, she expressed huge gratitude to the employees of Chernomorenergo, who worked continuously at the facility for days and nights in order to eliminate the consequences of the fire and provide the population with electricity.

According to general director of Chernomorenergo Mikhail Logua, there has not been an accident like this for a very long time.

“All services of Chernomorenergo and SUES promptly began work to eliminate the consequences of the accident. We had to work in very difficult conditions. We were very lucky we had new equipment that was supposed to be installed after the overhaul of the substation. This circumstance and the selfless work of the electricians who worked for two days without interruption allowed us this morning, at 04:16, to restore the energy supply to the capital, ” Logua said.

He emphasized that the substation operates according to an emergency scheme. It will take at least three weeks to operate normally.

“We must all understand both the degree of the accidents threat and the degree of the shutdown threat - it is increased. We will work on all lines to reduce the load. We will have to develop a schedule for power outages in Sukhum. We hope it will be the same to which - about two hours, ” said general director of Chernomorenergo. At the same time, he warned that those facilities that are powered by substations "Sukhum - 1" and "Sukhum - 2" will temporarily experience difficulties until the substation "Sukhum - 1" will work in normal mode.

Mikhail Logua also told reporters that one of the employees of Chernomrenergo, who was injured in the accident, was taken to a medical facility in Krasnodar tonight.

“His condition is still difficult. All necessary examinations are carried out. I would like to thank the doctors and wish the patient a speedy recovery. Let's all hope and pray for him, ” said Logua.

General director of Chernomroenergo also noted the dedication and ability to act quickly in such difficult emergency conditions.

When asked by journalists whether the work of the electricians would be somehow noted, Mikhail Logua said that they would definitely be awarded.

“It is a normal practice to reward people, especially when such professionals who are passionate about their work, who understand that everything depends on them, worked here. It took two days to fix an accident of this magnitude. Probably, in any other country it would have taken 10 days, ” he said.

Chief engineer of Chernomorenergo Timur Katsiya also expressed gratitude to the electricians. “I would like to express my gratitude to our employees who worked at the accident site continuously for two days. They took a break for only a couple of hours and today they continue to work again. It was very difficult at the beginning, but the situation is gradually improving, ” he said.