REUTERS
Stocks of anthracite coal at Ukrainian thermal power plants (TPP) soared by 31% on May 31 – June 7, 2017, to 573,500 tonnes, according to the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry's press service.
At the same time, the stocks of gas coal rose by 2.6% from 1.854 million tonnes to 1.903 million tonnes.
In general, coal stocks at Ukraine's TPPs over the week increased by 8%, to 2.476 million tonnes.
UNIAN memo. Fighting in the eastern regions of Ukraine has caused a significant shortage of coal, primarily that of thermal anthracite produced in militant-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Thus, the deficit of coal affects the operation of power plants, which had to reduce their capacity.
In order to ensure smooth operation of power grids, anthracite has been imported from South Africa. However, the issue of coal shipments to thermal power plants became critical after the launch of a blockade of trade with the occupied areas in late January 2017.