Shmyhal named three areas in which the government has prepared for winter
15 October 14:33Ukraine is on the threshold of its third heating season, which will take place in the context of a full-scale war with Russia. The government has done everything possible to minimise the risks and ensure proper conditions for the population in the winter. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a government meeting, Komersant Ukrainian reports.
Three key areas of preparation
Shmyhal noted that the government, regional military administrations and local authorities are working synchronously in three main areas:
- infrastructure preparation;
- accumulation of resources;
- creation of decentralised generation.
Preparing infrastructure
According to the Prime Minister, today more than 99% of residential buildings across Ukraine are ready for the start of the heating season. This also includes educational institutions and hospitals, whose level of readiness is close to 100%. More than 18,000 boiler houses and 4,800 central heating stations are fully prepared to supply heat. The Prime Minister stressed that the preparatory work is almost complete.
Accumulation of resources
Ukraine’s gas storage facilities have accumulated 12.2 billion cubic metres of gas, and coal warehouses have 3.1 million tonnes of coal. These reserves, according to Shmyhal, are sufficient to get us through the winter.
“Just like last year, we plan to go through this heating season using our own gas,” he said,
– the Prime Minister said.
All nine power units of nuclear power plants under Ukraine’s control are operating and will provide the bulk of electricity generation in the winter, Shmyhal added.
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Creation of decentralised generation
The government has launched several programmes to ensure energy sustainability, Shmyhal reminded. Concessional loans are available for individuals and businesses: at 0% for households, under the Grindim programme for condominiums, and under the 5-7-9% programme for small and medium-sized businesses. Loans from the Ukrainian Decarbonisation Fund for utilities and communities are also available.
The total amount of loans disbursed has already reached UAH 2 billion. The needs of utility companies for cogeneration units have been covered by more than half. Currently, 83 out of 182 cogeneration units with a total capacity of 147.3 MW are in operation. The rest of the equipment is to be installed by the end of the year.
Shmyhal also stressed that the installation of modular boiler houses and other equipment is ongoing in real time, especially in the 9 frontline and border regions where the situation is most difficult.
Challenges for the power system
Cities that depend on large thermal power plants, including TPPs and CHPs, remain one of the biggest challenges. Russia has deliberately attacked, destroying or damaging almost 90% of Ukraine’s thermal power generation, the Prime Minister reminded. He noted that the government’s goal is to provide communities with alternative sources of heat and electricity. For example, 127 cogeneration units, 8 gas piston stations, 60 block-modular boiler houses and 32 power generators have already been delivered or confirmed for Kharkiv.
International support
Shmyhal expressed gratitude to international partners for the assistance Ukraine receives to restore and modernise the energy sector. In particular, the partners have already accumulated about €700 million in the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister also announced that negotiations are underway to increase the limits on electricity imports from the EU: from 1.7 to 2.2 GW, which is important to ensure a stable supply of electricity during the heating season.