The director of the government's media office, Milivoje Mihajlovic, said on Feb. 9 that electricity will be switched off in around 2,000 companies in Serbia which are not of vital interest, with the aim of protecting the national electric power system.

Speaking at a news conference after the government session, Mihajlovic said that the power cuts in the companies, the list of which is still being formed, will start within 12 or 24 hours.

He said that, for the time being, there will be no electricity restrictions for the population.

Mihajlovic said that the power cuts will not apply to companies that provide vital functions, such as heating plants, waterworks and other public utilities, and companies in the food industry and similar ones, which have vital importance.

Mihajlovic said that measures are being implemented to solve the freezing rivers issue. This problem is an additional burden to the energy sector, he said.

So far, 15 people have died of freezing in Serbia, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic has stated.