Ukraine managed to get rid of dependence on anthracite coal supplies from the non-controlled areas in the ATO zone, Ukraine's Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Ihor Nasalyk has said.
“If six or seven months ago we could not say we can do without coal supplies from the ATO zone, then today, regardless of whether there will be shipments from the ATO zone or not, we will compensate anthracite coal supplies from other countries,” he said on the air of TV Channel 112.
The minister said Ukraine could buy coal in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North America, adding that basic supplies come from South Africa.
He noted until recently the country’s energy balance foresaw the supply of more than 9 million tonnes of anthracite coal. According to him, the termination of coal deliveries from the ATO zone in May-June was not only due to hostilities and a lack of rolling stock but also the attempt to show the energy dependence of Ukraine. However the Energy Ministry by upgrading the generation system and power grids managed to avoid the collapse of the power system and rolling blackouts.
“If we do not receive coal from the ATO zone at all, we will do without it,” he added.
