KIEV, Jan. 26 - Ukraine's government has extended the current emergency regime in the country's electricity industry until the end of next month.

A government directive of January 14 published in the Uriadovy Kurier newspaper on January 24 gives the National Commission of Ukraine for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation extra powers in setting charges and boosts the authority of grid operator Ukrenergo in the transmission of electricity and the regulation of its consumption.

The emergency measures were first imposed on August 13 last year, and were extended by directives of October 1, November 7 and December 8. They cannot remain in effect for more than one month. The government is authorized to extend them but by no more than one month at a time either.