Electricity exports to Europe could stop at any time, resulting in the loss of sales markets for Ukrainian coal companies, those with mines in Lviv-Volyn region in particular. This will affect financial and social-economical situation in the coal industry of the whole country.
According to the energy expert Valentin Zemlyansky, at present due to the drop of electricity consumption in Ukraine there is an excess of generating capacities. Thermal power stations stand idle, nuclear power stations are underloaded. To balance output and consumption Ukraine can export electricity. But foreign countries are not interested in Ukrainian electricity at high prices. Moldova and Belarus, in particular, have cancelled contracts with Ukraine and made agreements with Russia.
“Since 2013 electricity exports from Ukraine have fallen 3 times. If the situation persists, Lviv-Volyn coal will not be needed. The government has to review its prices”, said Zemlyansky. (Ukrainian metal)