Kyiv, July 21, 2015. Ukraine has accumulated over 600,000 tons of coal over the past three months. This is the same as what the country had in October 2014 when the last heating season began. “Our plan envisages extracting another million tons of coal in the next three months,” said Volodymyr Demchyshyn, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine, at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Demchyshyn told that three coalmines (Zarichna, No.9 Novovolynska and Rodenska) would be shut down as a part of a program to streamline the industry. According to Demchyshyn, employees from those three mines are either working in other locations already, or will soon transfer to new mines such as the No.10 Novovolynska.
Additionally, the Ministry has improved the efficiency of nuclear power stations. Nuclear power production has increased by 2 billion kW/h, the equivalent of 10 percent of the nuclear power market.
Furthermore, Demchyshyn said that a new electric power line to Kyiv would go on the grid on December 1 to provide an uninterrupted power supply. “Electric power stations in Rivne and Khmelnytskyi regions will produce the required amount of electricity,” said Demchyshyn.
According to Demchyshyn, Ukraine will extract 19 billion cubic meters of gas. The ministry is able to extract 14.5 billion cubic meters using its own resources. “One billion dollars is needed to increase gas extraction. At present, we are negotiating with the World Bank, EBRD [European Bank for Reconstruction and Development] and other international donors. We are cooperating with the Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Ukraine in order to receive necessary financial support,” said Demchyshyn.
Demchyshyn also commented on the planned purchase of 36 transformers. The old transformers from 50 powerful machines have reached the age of 40 already, and should be replaced. “The Ministry is going to purchase thirty-six transformers. Eighteen transformers will be bought at the expense of EBRD- and World Bank-financed programs. Contractor competition technology will be formed at the creditor’s expense. I personally insisted on making the contract project open and transparent,” said Demchyshyn.