Prime Minister: Ukraine has sufficient energy reserves to pass the current heating season

Ukraine's energy system operates stably and all consumers are supplied with electricity. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized during the Questions Time for the Government at the Verkhovna Rada on January 28. He added that rolling blackouts in 2021-2022 neither had taken place nor had been planned.

"We have sufficient amount of energy reserves to pass this heating season stably," the PM said.

According to the Head of Government, 14 units of nuclear power plants are currently operating. In addition, in early February, it is planned to complete the planned ongoing repairs of Unit № 4 of Rivne NPP and include it in the network, which will ensure the operation of 15 units of NPP.

"In parallel, there is observed an active increase in the supply of coal to storage facilities, its production and import. Today we have about 800,000 tons of coal, which is higher than last year. Since the beginning of the year, coal production in Ukrainian mines has grown by almost 20% compared to the same period last year," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister also noted that in the first quarter of 2022, a total of 6 million tons of coal was planned to deliver to TPP storage facilities. Meanwhile, he added, the estimated use of coal is expected to be approximately 5.5 million tons.

It is also planned to raise domestic gas production. In particular, Naftogaz intends to produce 3.3 billion cubic meters in the first quarter of this year. In total, according to Denys Shmyhal, there are currently about 11.5 billion cubic meters in gas storage facilities.

Besides, the Head of Government told, the GTS operator of Ukraine and the GTS operator of Hungary had agreed to extend the guaranteed capacity for the transportation of natural gas from Hungary to Ukraine until September 30, 2022. This will significantly increase the opportunities for pumping gas by Ukraine for the next heating season.

“From January 1, 2022, we have increased the guaranteed capacities for gas imports to Ukraine by almost 30%. Now their total volume is up to 35 million cubic meters per 24 hours", said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister also stressed that, despite all the challenges and difficulties, the authorities could have managed to protect Ukrainians from a significant soaring of energy prices on world markets. In particular, it reduced electricity tariffs, ensured the stability of gas prices through the introduction of annual contracts, fulfilled its part of the Memorandum with local authorities on non-increase of tariffs for heat and hot water and Improved subsidy support to citizens.