You're reading: Demchyshyn says Crimean power cut leads to halt in coal shipments from Donbas, Russia, coal stocks to last 45-50 days

The halt in electricity supplies to Crimea has led to the suspension of coal shipments from the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone in Donbas and Russia, however Ukraine's energy system has enough coal to provide for the country's needs for 45-50 days, taking into account shipments from South Africa, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchyshyn said at a parliamentary session on Nov. 27.

“At the moment, the supply of coal from the uncontrolled territories, as well as from Russia, is limited. Currently, coal reserves at our thermal power plants are sufficient for them to keep working for at least a month… To solve the issue of providing coal for our power plants we are actively negotiating with suppliers from South Africa. Two ships, one carrying 168,000 tonnes of coal for Centrenergo, and another carrying 80,000 tonnes for thermal power plants, are on their way,” he said.

According to the minister, two ships laden with coal from South Africa will arrive in Ukraine on Dec. 4 and 12.

“This means that in December we will receive an additional 250,000 tonnes of anthracite coal. We’ve got more than one million tonnes of the coal of this type in stock. With the addition of these 250,000 tonnes, this ensures that at least the next 45-50 days our energy system will be working stably. In these 50 days, we will definitely be able find a solution to the coal supply issue, including shipments from South Africa and from other suppliers,” he said.

Demchyshyn noted that the switch to coal supplies from South Africa will result in an increase in energy tariffs which is currently being studied by National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NCER), he added.

At present, the DTEK energy holding does not buy coal from overseas, the minister said.

“I hope they will understand the seriousness of the situation and will take active steps,” Demchyshyn added.