Hit on coal. War in the Donbass face power shortages
On the eve of the winter Ukraine risks being not only a shortage of gas, but also the lack of electricity. Because of Russia’s aggression in the Donbass in the last two months coal decreased by 30%. This coal is burned in thermal power plants (TPP) for the production of electricity. Existing stocks of coal to the power station will help to hold only until mid-November. LigaBusinessInform sorted out what threatens Ukraine stop mines in the Donbas and the shortage of coal. Where to get coal Since the second half of this due to the hostilities and stop coal enterprises in Ukraine began to plummet coal mining. In July, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, coal mining has fallen from 21.6%. In August the exact details yet, but is easy to assume that the production figures exceed the July drop. The consequence of this work is the decline of the coal industry coal reserves in storage power plants (part of the power generating companies), which together produce 40% of all electricity in the country. Replace this electricity just nothing. According to the Ministry of Energy, on August 1 to the power station was 2.8 million tons of coal, which is 2 million less than last year. By August 26, these stocks were reduced to 2.1 million tons, according UkrEnergo. Such a large number of coal to the power station is not enough to work stations in the winter. Annually to the beginning of the heating period, Ukraine has accumulated in the warehouses of up to 4 million tons of coal. "With this level of production and reserves to the power station we can hold up to mid-November - says the head of the Independent Trade Union of Miners Mikhail Volynets. - If there is no coal, it is necessary to stop the unit and the enterprise will simply remain without electricity." Even the coal, which is mined, delivered to TPP is difficult because of the destruction zheleznolorozhnogo paintings in the Donbas, where are concentrated more than 80% of all coal-fired capacity of the country. "Delivery of coal enterprises of thermal generation is difficult because of disruption to rail traffic due to the war - said LigaBusinessInform press service of DTEK. - The company is considering alternative routes for delivery of coal to ensure reliable power supply." Current, government proposes to allow the situation at the expense of coal imports from other countries. "I hope that soon we will start coal imports - said on August 22 roundtable Deputy Energy Minister Vladimir Ulida. - Coal can be delivered from New Zealand, Australia and even the United States." "According to my calculations, we will need to import up to 10 million tons, and it is extra 13 billion hryvnia - adds Volinets. - Why spend money buying coal abroad, if they can be embedded in existing mines?". Volinets adds that the Ministry of Energy instead of increasing production closes even those mines that are not in the area of ATO. "It’s only in the Volyn region are preparing to close the seven mines - said Wolyniec. - And on the liberated territories does nothing for the resumption of those businesses that were shut down during the war." Alternatives: disconnect the Crimea, turn export Ukraine and in peacetime faced with a deficit of coal for thermal power generation. In 2008, due to the decline in coal-fired plants CHP failed to accumulate sufficient coal stockpiles. Then to save coal were launched five oil-gas blocks: on Uglegorskaya thermal power of 800 MW, Zaporizhzhya TPP - 800 MW Unit 2 at Trypilian TPP 300 MW and one unit on Ladyzhynskaya thermal power station - 300 MW. But in the absence of gas supplies from Russia to switch to this mode of operation is simply impossible. "If there is no gas, and coal shortage continues, the carbon block TPP will have to work at the limit of technical possibilities - says Volinets. - In this case, can overload the grid and automatic shutdown nuclear power units, which will need to run for months." Ministry of Energy has already begun to take action to save coal. As reported LigaBusinessInform official at the Energy Ministry, in August state Ukrinterenergo already started to reduce the supply of electricity to the Crimea, which is 80% dependent on the mainland of Ukraine. "Now consider different options. Ukraine has already started to reduce the sale of electricity in the Crimea, and also introduced limits for large enterprises, in particular, combine ArselorMitall Krivoy Rog - the official said. - If the situation is critical, then the supply of electricity to the peninsula will be minimized" . To conserve coal ministry is also planning to introduce restrictive measures to export electricity to Europe, as well as to suspend exports of thermal coal, which can be fuel for Ukrainian power plants. "Cabinet at the meeting had already considered these options at the suggestion Energy - told LigaBusinessInform official in the ministry. - If the situation with a deficit of coal will not be resolved, then the government can take a decision"