Prime Minister: We have used to succeed in preparations for the winter period and this year should not be an exception

During the past three years, the Government of Ukraine has timely embarked on preparing the country for the autumn-winter period, and this year should not be an exception. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman announced during a Government meeting on preparation of enterprises of fuel and energy complex, utility services, objects of social sphere and infrastructure to the autumn-winter period of 2019/20 and ensuring its sustainable passage. "We always embark timely on gearing procedures, and this year should not become an exception. People should feel that everything is under control", said Volodymyr Groysman.

The PM stressed that this year the preparatory resource had been ensured in the regions: permanent activities are underway. That is vital to provide Ukrainian families, kindergartens, schools, hospitals with heating in the winter period of 2019-2020, and ensure flawless functioning of the road infrastructure in cities and between district and regional centers, not allowing snowdrifts.

Participants of the meeting - the heads of line ministries and departments - reported that currently, all works are on schedule in all directions – starting from the preparation of utility facilities and the preparation of rescue services to respond to adverse weather conditions and ending with preparing of procedures to maintaining roads and ensure traffic safety in winter period. The problematic issues that arise are solved on a scheduled basis and kept under the control of the responsible managers. In this regard, the Head of Government has commissioned to prepare for the next Cabinet meeting the plans for the completion of seasonal activities, first of all, road and utilities, as well as financial proposals for the implementation of the aforementioned plans.

Moreover, the Head of Government touched upon the issue of gas prices for consumers in the heating season. Volodymyr Groysman emphasized it should be reasonable and take into account the current favorable trends on the global market. At that, according to the Prime Minister, it is critical to settle an issue of the debts of the district heating providers and determine the actions towards each non-payer - up to appeals to law enforcement agencies.

"In August, we are preparing a meeting of the (Energy) staff and a teleconference with the regions on the preparation for the winter period. We are to discuss coordination of the whole system of the country", said Volodymyr Groysman. "I also offer to determine settlements where problems may occur during the heating period, carry out (energy) audits there and propose measures to prevent the occurrence of crisis situations."

The Prime Minister noted that the issues of preparation for the winter are the topmost priority. "On October 1, we must get complete readiness for the heating season regardless of weather conditions", summed up Volodymyr Groysman.

Background

According to the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services, currently 153,696 buildings in Ukraine are to receive passports of readiness for the autumn/winter of 2019/20 year. The share 49.5% of buildings are fully prepared for winter, and 79.0% of buildings have a heating metering device installed. Although, this distribution is not even. There are regions where the number of buildings with meters makes up only 15.5% to 45%.

More than 21,000 socio-cultural facilities have been prepared. Of these, 8,438 educational institutions (52.4%), 6,719 nursing homes (53.2%), 5,959 medical institutions (52.1%)

According to the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry, the amount of gas pumped into underground storage facilities currently exceeds 15 billion cubic meters, but on a commission of the Head of Government, this figure should be brought to at least 20 billion cubic meters. Coal reserves at the TPP make up 1,301,000 tons at the end of July, in particular, coal of the gas group – 878,000 tons, coal of anthracite group – 423,000 tons.

According to the Ukravtodor State Agency of Motor Roads of Ukraine, the amount of machinery necessary to prepare for the winter amounts to 6,200 units. According to the data of the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services there have been prepared 582,700 tons of spreading material and reagents (51.34%).