Ukraine’s Minister of Energy and Coal Mining expects to receive three million tons of anthracite from the U.S.
Ukraine expects to import 2.5-3 million tons of anthracite coal from the United States, Minister of Energy and Coal Mining Ihor Nasalyk said.
"Presently we have received information that we could receive 2.5-3 million tons of coal from America. I, as a Minister, just sent a letter to the State Department asking for assistance with the anthracite coal," he told journalists in Kyiv.
According to Nasalyk, energy-generating companies have already begun signing contracts for anthracite deliveries with South Africa and other countries. To replenish supplies, Ukraine needs to import 4.7 million tons of energy generating coal before the end of 2017.
In early February, Nasalyk noted that private companies were negotiating the supply of one million tons of anthracite coal from the United States.
Previously, it was reported that the head of the National Power Company Ukrenergo, Vsevolod Kovalchuk, believes that anthracite deliveries to Ukraine's power plants should begin no later than May to ensure the stable operation of the energy system. Otherwise, restrictions will have to be introduced on the energy supply for consumers.
The Ministry of Energy and Coal Mining forecasts that by May 1, 2017 the anthracite coal reserves would amount to 182,600 tons, which is 2.7 times less than on March 29 when the reserve held 494,100 tons.
According to the data on coal supplies for thermal power plants for April, published on the Ministry of Energy and Coal Mining website, the reserves of gas coal (G + D) are forecasted at 1.3 million tons as of May 1, which is 0.2% more than on March 29.