The Ukrainian government seeks to switch all thermal power plants (TPPs) of public joint-stock company Centrenero that are burning anthracite coal to burning gas coal. This will be done using the loan provided by China, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"Two days ago a meeting with the president devoted to the Chinese loan was held… There are two decisions: the first one is to send $200 million to buy drilling equipment to boost gas production and the second one is to re-equip Centrenergo from anthracite coal to gas coal consumption, including Trypilska TPP. The prime minister supported the latter decision," he said.

Nasalyk said that the re-equipment of two units of Zmiyivska TPP (Kharkiv region) is at the final stage. Unit two consuming new coal will be launched on March 20 and unit five – at the end of May. The cost of re-equipment of one unit is UAH 110-120 million.