The issue of energy independence of Ukraine remains a burning one. Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers emphasizes the need to increase domestic production in all categories of energy resources, including coal. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman while visitng one of the mines of PJSC "DTEK Pavlohradvuhillya", in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region.

The Head of Government stressed that Ukraine has examples and best practices of modernization of the extractive industry, which is undergoing through difficult times today because of the loss of power capacities in the east of the country. But the state's strategy is to get rid of any dependence on external factors.

"Production of Grade A coal (anthracite) is located in temporarily occupied territories in Donbas. We have to do everything in order to refuse from anthracite and maximize G-grade coal mining. A few years ago, we consumed 9 mln tons of anthracite coal in general. Today - 4.3 mln. So, we cut consumption by half. This year, we will adapt four more TPPs to use G-grade coal. Launch of new longwall face and extraction of domestic coal for all needs of the energy complex are our tasks and our strategy.And we are moving forward", the Head of the Government said.

He stressed that today it is necessary to synchronize both the capacities that are modernized and updated to the use of G-grade coal, and the production and extraction of coal at Ukrainian enterprises.

"Modernization is not just to sit down and draw up a document. This is a complicated process. And for each enterprise, this process should be individual.But the fact of reducing consumption is already a progress, - Until now, Ukraine was totally energy dependent. We turned this process on. Now we need to reach the financial break-even point (concerning import of gas, coal, and electricity). We have to increase our capabilities. We have to saturate domestic market, and in time to  become the exporting country", the Prime Minister underscored.