Vladimir Groysman
The government has eliminated a shadow scheme in the gas sector and found 1 billion cubic meters of gas for the population's needs, the government portal reports.
The country will receive approximately 1 billion cubic meters of additional gas thanks to the exposure and dismantling of a shadowy scheme that has operated in the country's gas sector for years. This was announced on Thursday, September 11, by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing, and Utilities Volodymyr Groysman following a meeting of the Government's Anti-Crisis Energy Headquarters.
He explained that the Government had revised social standards for the consumption of housing and communal services.
"According to the standards once approved by the government, each person should have consumed 9,8 cubic meters of gas monthly. This is the so-called gas consumption per stove. And everyone without a meter paid for these 9,8 cubic meters monthly, although, as we have already investigated, they actually consumed a maximum of 6 cubic meters of gas. The question is: where are the remaining 3,8 cubic meters of gas? I will answer – in the pipelines that were sold to industry at the gas price set for industry, that is, the highest price – $500 per thousand cubic meters. We found this 'hole' and closed it. Thus, someone who was making 400-500 million dollars this way got a slap on the wrist, and only 1 million cubic meters of gas will remain in the network for the population," said Volodymyr Groysman.
However, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, the country's gas deficit for the period September 2014 – April 2015 is approximately 5 billion cubic meters.
"The country needs approximately 28 billion cubic meters of gas for the autumn-winter period. Taking into account the volumes in storage and reverse-flow gas, Ukraine has a deficit of 5 billion cubic meters. We must find a way to survive without it. Gas consumption limits have already been established for each region, and measures are being taken to replace them. We will adjust temperature schedules to ensure warmth and comfort in homes," the Deputy Prime Minister reported. He also added that the country currently has a coal deficit of approximately 5 million tons. This is due to the fighting in Donbas, which has prevented all mining companies from being able to continue producing and supplying the solid fuel in the required quantities.
"The Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry is working on coal supplies from other countries. The relevant contracts have been signed, and deliveries have already begun. Of course, this coal is quite expensive, unfortunately, but it will help us overcome this shortage," said Volodymyr Groysman.
The Deputy Prime Minister appealed through the media to the public, business leaders, and organizations to conserve energy resources and thereby help the country navigate the heating season without interruption.
"The issue of substitution, gas conservation, and electricity savings is a matter of national security, a matter of our country's independence. The warmth and comfort of our homes in winter depends on each of us. The less we consume energy, the less the shortage will be, and therefore, we will be more confident in getting through the heating season," the official emphasized.
Overall, he said, the state of readiness of Ukraine's housing and utilities infrastructure for the 2014-2015 fall-winter period is in line with plans. By October 1, 2014, the infrastructure should reach 100% readiness.
Help
According to the Ministry of Regional Development, 189 homes are to be comprehensively prepared for the 2014-2015 autumn-winter period across Ukraine, with readiness certificates issued.
As of September 11, 162 thousand houses, or 86% of the plan, were prepared for winter.
38,7 thousand social and cultural facilities are preparing for the autumn-winter period, including: - 18,5 thousand schools, - 13,6 thousand kindergartens, - 6,6 thousand hospitals.
As of today, 36,7 thousand such objects have been prepared, or 95% of the planned amount.
As of September 11, 2014, the readiness of heating facilities for operation in the autumn-winter period of 2014-2015 amounts to 89,4% of the indicators planned by the regions.
The readiness of water supply and sewerage facilities in Ukraine currently stands at 89,9% of the plan.
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