PM Groysman: Gov't seeks to reduce dependence on anthracite

"We consume 24 million tonnes, including 9 million tonnes of anthracite produced in territory that is – and I insist – Ukraine, yet it is temporarily uncontrolled. It is clear that we need to build up an independent power supply system, and we're working on it," Groysman told reporters.

Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet to suspend anthracite exports – NSDC order"In the next 3-5 years, we will be able to stop importing gas. In 2016, we reined in the fall of our own gas production and even increased it. As for coal... In summer, we launched a new unit at the Novodnistrovska hydropower plant, it is 350 MW of power to replace coal. In September, we built two power lines from the Khmelnytsky and Rivne nuclear power plants (NPPs) feeding in the areas facing a deficit of electricity. Now, we're building a line from the Zaporizhia NPP. It reduces our dependence on anthracite coal. In March, we will finish the modernization of a unit at the Trypilska thermal power plant, which will consume coal gas. What does it mean? It means we'll be able to save 2.5-3 million tonnes of coal during the next heating season. If [coal] consumption was 9 million tonnes, it will be 6 million tonnes. Next year, we will be able to reduce consumption by another 2.5-3 million tonnes," he said.

Groysman stressed that the share of nuclear energy was growing. "We will ensure the country's energy security," he said.

He also stressed that the Cabinet had already adopted a number of strategic documents, including the development of the hydropower industry whose share in the country's energy balance will grow to 15% from the current 8%.

As UNIAN reported, full energy independence in the gas and coal sector is a strategic task by the Ukrainian government for the medium-term outlook.