Energy history of Zakarpattia region of Ukraine dates back to 1902, the year of first diesel power installations in Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Beregove cities. The plants provided electricity to small private enterprises and for illumination of the central streets. Yet the total electrification of Zakarpattia region began after the establishment of Uzhgorod energy company in 1946; the company is now succeeded by PJSC «Zakarpattiaoblenergo». Ongoing construction of 0.4-110kV electric power grid ensured that by 1975 every village had electricity supply. The Company transmits electricity purchased at wholesale market using 110 kV and below power grids, in parallel supplying electricity to consumers in Zakarpattia region of Ukraine (population 1.26 million people, the area - 12,800 km2) and some adjacent districts of Lviv region (Beskyd, Gusne, Lavochne, Syanky).
The Company consists of 55 departments, including 15 district power grids that service 16,700 corporate and 407,200 residential customers, of which 260,500 (64 %) live in rural areas. The electric load of the Zakarpattia region is 450 MW. The maximum system load in the Company history was 527 MW (in 1990). The Company's assets include:
- overhead power lines, all voltage classes - 18,187 km.
- 121 of 110 - 35 kV substations, including 37 of 110 kV substations, 84 of 35 kV substations and 4,525 of 6-10 / 0.4 kV transformer substations.
The Company also operates three hydroelectric power plants, total capacity of 31.55 MW - Tereblia-Rikska HPP (27.0 MW, commissioned in 1956), Onokivska HPP (2.65 MW, commissioned in 1942) and Uzhgorod HPP (1.9 MW, commissioned in 1942). The Company's hydroelectric power plants annually produce 6-9 % of total electricity consumption in the region. The Company employs over 2,900 staff. Almost 42 % of workers are under 35 years old. The Company's key energy projects include 220 kV Mukachevo -Hust overhead transmission line with 220 kV / 125 MVA substation (82.6 km): this complex significantly increased grid reliability in north-eastern part of the region by providing a shoulder to two long-distance 110 kV transmission lines, in parallel ensuring 34 million kWh annual energy savings; 110 kV transmission line Volovets - Maidan - Mizhgiria - TR-HPP (60 km) and 35 kV overhead transmission line Rahiv - Yasinya (5 km). The Company designed the 2007-2011 Programme of Zakarpattia grid development. The total priority investment till 2011 tops UAH 277 million. As a result, in 2011 the number of power grids in satisfactory condition will grow by average 19 % compared to 2006. Zakarpattia region has considerable potential for hydropower development. The Company drafted the Programme for using the resources of the Tysa river basin, which provides for 36 small hydroelectric power plants with total capacity of 395 MW and annual production levels of 1.6 billion kWh of electricity.