Centerenergo plans to increase coal imports to stock up before winter

Centernergo PJSC intends to import coal for the autumn-winter period of 2023-2024.

That’s according to CEO Andriy Churkin, who spoke in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We will not be able to get through this winter solely on our own coal. And in the near future, Centernergo plans to conclude contracts with foreign companies. Some work has already been done, and I think that within a month there will be results. We need to reach a volume of at least 80,000 tons of coal per month. That would be a sufficient reserve. But we are developing various scenarios, preparing as much as possible. And if the stocks turn out to be a little below that, we currently have a replacement – gas and fuel oil. The Trypillia TPP, for example, is able to run on fuel oil. We have already delivered it, and I have already asked the technical directorate at the TPP to make a trial run on this type of fuel," Churkin emphasized.

According to him, the closest and most affordable way to buy coal is from Poland. "But we are also working on other options," added the CEO.

He noted that fuel oil is purchased from Ukrnafta. "There’s more than enough in reserves," Churkin emphasized.

Regarding the heating season of 2023-2024, the CEO stated that it will not be easy for Centerenergo.

"But we are doing everything possible to make it as painless as possible for the Ukrainians. We made it through last winter, we survived unprecedented attacks by enemy missiles and drones on the energy system. Now our specialists have experience and professionalism that no one else in the world has. We are preparing as much as possible to potential threats," he assured

As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to the State Property Fund, during the upcoming heating season, PJSC Centrenergo will exploit eight power units with a total capacity of 1,640 MW. In order to ensure the uninterrupted operation of power generation in the autumn and winter period, the power units of Trypillia and Zmiiv TPPs will operate in a "mixed" format - on coal, gas, and fuel oil.