Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion says Ukraine in 2017 almost halved consumption of anthracite coal whose stocks in Ukraine are insufficient, having used 4.8 million tons of anthracite at its thermal power plants.
“In 2017 Ukraine consumed slightly more than half of anthracite coal compared to 2016. If in 2016 we burnt 8.9 million tons of anthracite, 4.8 million tons of scarce coal was consumed in the past year, according to rough estimates,” he wrote on Facebook.
According to the official, 2.3 million tons of anthracite was saved due to an increase in electricity generation at nuclear and hydroelectric power stations. Moreover, 1.8 million tons of anthracite was substituted by gas coal produced in Ukraine.
“We face an ambitious and challenging task of ensuring Ukraine’s energy independence. And step by step, reducing the consumption of scarce anthracite, increasing the production of domestic natural gas, and reforming the country’s energy sector, we are approaching this goal,” he added. (UNIAN/Ukrainian metal)