REUTERS
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion says that the month-long emergency measures introduced on the Ukrainian electricity market on February 17 due to the blockade of anthracite supplies from the occupied areas in Donbas may be extended until the end of 2017.
This decision is to be taken by Ukraine's Energy and Coal Ministry and Ukraine's National Commission for state regulation in energy and utilities (NCRE) until Friday.
"According to preliminary estimates, the anthracite reserves should be enough for 40-50 days. During this period, we should promptly consider the issue of anthracite imports. Until Friday, the Energy and Coal Ministry jointly with the NCRE should consider three scenarios: the emergency measures until April, September, and until the end of the year," Kistion wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoG7: Blockade of coal supplies from occupied Donbas threatens Ukraine's energy securityHe also noted that three options for the purchase of anthracite abroad would be offered, while the impact of coal imports on the price of electricity and a mode for further power grid operation would be analyzed.
In his words, the country's coal reserves were about 1.6 million tonnes for the time being.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Energy and Coal Ministry decided to introduce emergency measures on the electricity market and presented its decision at an anti-crisis energy center meeting on February 13. On February 15, the Cabinet decided at an emergency meeting to introduce emergency measures on the electricity market, which would allow a reduction in anthracite consumption. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Hennadiy Zubko said energy consumption instructions had already been sent to the regions, and those who will exceed daily power consumption limits will be fined.
A state of emergency in the Ukrainian energy sector was introduced mainly due to the blockade of anthracite supplies from the uncontrolled territories, which began in January. Despite the fact that coal was mined by Ukrainian-registered companies, shipment and delivery of their products were actually halted. The coal has not been supplied to thermal power plants and metallurgical enterprises since February 10, which may stop heat and electricity generation, as well as breach production contracts and reduce revenues of steel companies.