Ukrenergo alarmed at unequal distribution of coal stocks among TPPs
National energy company Ukrenergo is alarmed at the unequal distribution of coal stocks in the warehouses of thermal power plants (TPPs) of electricity generating companies.
The company said that the largest anthracite coal stocks are accumulated at Luhansk TPP of DTEK Skhidenergo (431,400 tonnes), gas coal – at Burshtyn TPP of DTEK Zakhidenergo (356,800 tonnes). The two plants are operating separately from the Ukraine's power grid.
Other power plants, which are part of DTEK energy holding (Prydniprovska TTP, Kryvy Rih TPP, Kurakhove TPP, etc) have stocks which are several times smaller than those at Luhansk TPP and Burshtyn TPP.
Luhansk TPP is not fully loaded as power lines have been damaged and the fact that it’s impossible to restore them due to the ongoing conflict. Also, the plant is not able to cover the shortage of the Ukrainian power grid's capacities.
Ten out of 12 power units of Burshtyn TPP are working as part of the Burshtyn TPP Island and provide electricity to consumers in the southwestern section of the Ukrainian power grid that operates separately and exports electricity to Europe.
"Almost the half of coal we have is located at warehouses of two power plants which cannot be used to cover the shortage of the capacities," Ukrenergo said.
Ukrenergo proposed that a temporary decision to use the capacity of three more power units of Burshtyn TPP which could be both used to cover Ukraine's needs and export electricity to the ENTSO-E should be made.
"The change of the configuration of the Burshtyn TPP Island would require preliminary agreement with Poland's Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE), which is responsible for the synchronous operation of the energy island as a part of the Polish regulation section. Agreement actions are foreseen in the existing procedure and Ukrenergo started drawing up technical documents in late 2014, despite the absence of sector and state discipline at DTEK Zakhidenergo, and they are at the final stage," the company said.
Ukrenergo said that it is convinced that the provision of Ukraine's energy security is a top-priority to commercial benefits from electricity exports. On July 21, the company asked the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry to help ensure a favorable decision which would improve Ukraine's balance of energy.
