Ukraine will resolve dependence on external coal supplies next year – minister

14:04, 27.11.2015 1 min read

In 2016 Ukraine will resolve the problem of its dependence on external supplies of anthracite coal, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchyshyn said in parliament on Friday.

"This year our dependence on [foreign] coal supplies fell by at least 30%. I convince you that next year we will settle the problem. We will enter the next heating season without being dependent on Russian coal," he said.

The minister said that coal transportation by sea is problematic due to port infrastructure in Ukraine being ill-prepared for shipments.

"Work is being done. At present, we can deliver 400,000 tonnes out of 600,000 tonnes required, and this is not bad," he said.