Ukraine re-instated power restrictions as growing temperatures put stress on the energy system already made fragile by Russian strikes, state-run electricity operator Ukrenergo said on Monday.

Moscow this spring resumed its attacks on power stations, knocking out half of the country’s generation capacity and triggering heavy outages until late July.

Repairs on some power stations and lighter temperature had improved the energy situation in the country, officials said, until the heatwave returned.

“Electricity consumption continues to grow,” Ukrenergo said on Telegram, adding the rise was “due to the heatwave spreading to most regions of Ukraine.”

“Due to the growing capacity deficit in the power system, today from 17:00 to 21:00, consumption restrictions will be applied,” it said.

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Critical infrastructure and some enterprises will be exempted, it added.

Ukraine has relied on electricity imports from its neighbouring EU countries to fill a gap in generation caused by the Russian attacks.

Prime Minister Denys Shmygal had said late last month the situation in the energy sector “has stabilised” due to the early completion of repairs at two units of nuclear power plants and a drop in air temperature.

Ukraine is continuing “to prepare for the autumn and winter period and develop alternative generation sources”, according to Shmygal.