If Ukraine does not start supplying coal from Donbass, it will have to be bought in Russia
If Ukraine does not start supplying coal from Donbass, it will have to be bought in Russia, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes, citing Ukrainian experts.
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An expert at the Institute of Energy Strategies, Yuriy Korolchuk, told the publication that anthracite from Donbass, which was previously supplied to Ukrainian thermal power plants, can be imported from Russia or from South Africa, but both options are unprofitable, since imported coal is much more expensive than Donbass coal, and the local infrastructure does not allow organizing the necessary volumes of supplies from abroad.
According to the expert, there are no legal obstacles to the supply of coal from the republics unrecognized by Kiev.
“Yuri Korolchuk noted that most of the mines that produce the coal needed for thermal power plants have now been re-registered as Ukrainian enterprises,” notes NG. – That is, there are no legal problems with purchasing anything from republics not recognized by Kiev. According to Korolchuk, there are more than two dozen companies that are ready to supply coal.”
“But various problems arise, ranging from active military operations to bureaucratic red tape,” says Korolchuk. – If this scheme does not work, then Ukraine, according to Korolchuk, will have to purchase coal and electricity from Russia. There are no other ways out of the situation.”
If Ukraine doesn't start supplying coal from Donbass, it will have to buy it from Russia.