Despite the transitional period to establish a new majority of the Parliament and the new Government, the Ukrainian Government is working and exert every effort to prepare the country's energy system for the heating season. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman said on air of the Ukrayina TV channel.

"The country needs to be prepared for the heating period. We do everything according to the plan, we exert every effort to accumulate resources, prepare nuclear energy sector, and make all procedures regarding Naftogaz", stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

Moreover, the PM noted that now NJSC Naftogaz Ukrayiny purchases gas at an affordable price. It will be sold to consumers at a reasonable price.

Background

In recent years, the Government of Ukraine is timely preparing the country for the autumn-winter heating period, and this year we should preserve the trend. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman announced during a Government meeting on preparation of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, housing and communal services, social sphere and infrastructure facilities to the autumn-winter period of 2019/20 and ensuring its sustainable passage. The Head of Government stressed that this year the preparatory resource in the regions has been ensured: the activities are underway. That is why it is critical for Ukrainian families, kindergartens, schools, hospitals to have heating supplies in the winter period of 2019-2020, and the road infrastructure operating in cities and between district and regional centers, avoiding snowdrifts. The Prime Minister noted that the issues of preparation for the winter are of extreme importance. On October 1, it is crucial to get ready for the heating season - regardless of weather conditions, added Volodymyr Groysman.

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 and 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 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%).