Energy Ministry elaborates on Ukraine’s demand for coal

According to the published document, the total demand for coal at thermal power plants and thermoelectric plantss in 2018 will be at 26.594 million tonnes (21.648 million tonnes of gas type coal and 4.946 million tonnes of anthracite).

It is planned that a major share of coal will be required for the operation of TPPs (24.2 million tonnes), while DTEK, which is a largest private generation company in the segment, will need 4.3 million tonnes; the state-owned Centrenergo, and private Donbasenergo will require another 1.1 million tonnes.

Read alsoAnother shipment of anthracite coal from RSA arrives in UkraineThe energy ministry also stipulates that by January 1, 2018, 2.7 million tonnes of coal (1.546 million tonnes of gas brands and 1.18 million tonnes of anthracite) should have been piled up at TPP and TEP storage facilities.

According to the document, in 2018 some 4.9 billion cubic meters of gas and 73,800 tonnes of fuel oil will be needed for thermal generation.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in 2016 Ukraine produced 40.9 million tonnes of energy and coking coal. In January-August 2017, compared to the same period last year, production fell by 9.2%, to 23.6 million tonnes.

UNIAN memo. Hostilities 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.

Read alsoEnvoy to U.S. Chaly tells when first batch of American steam coal to arrive in UkraineAt the end of July, one of the largest energy generating companies, Centrenergo, signed off a contract with the U.S.-based XCoal Energy & Resources to supply 700,000 tonnes of anthracite to Ukraine until the end of 2017.

According to the energy ministry, as of October 9, some 1.549 million tonnes of coal is being stored at TPP and TEP warehouses (764,700 tonnes of gas type coal and 764,700 tonnes of anthracite).