Ukraine: More than half of infrastructure prepared for heating season – minister Chernyshov
More than half of the infrastructure is ready for the heating season. This was announced by the Minister of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov.
On July 27th, Minister of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov held the fourth meeting of the Staff to prepare the objects of housing and communal services and fuel and energy complex for the autumn-winter period of 2022/23.
“We are well aware that in 2.5 months we will start the heating season in Ukraine, which will not be easy, but you and I have to cope with it. The rules of the game for this heating season are clear to everyone. They have been approved. There is a clear, stable understanding of how we work it,” said Chernyshov.
The Minister informed the participants of the Headquarters that on July 19 the Government had approved the Provision on the assignment of special responsibilities to the subjects of the natural gas market on the peculiarities of natural gas supplies to heat producers. He stressed that this will ensure price stability in the field of heat supply during the heating season 2022/23.
“As of July 27, as a result of the armed aggression of Russia on the territory of Ukraine damaged 352 objects of critical infrastructure in the field of heating, namely: 343 boiler plants (331 damaged and 12 destroyed), 8 cogeneration plants (4 destroyed and 4 damaged) and 1 thermal power plant (damaged). Also, 31% of the total number of affected facilities were resumed,” the ministry said.
Heads of de-occupied Chernihiv, Poltava and Sumy regions informed about the condition, status and future restoration of destroyed facilities. The heads of Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Mykolayiv regions reported on the status of preparation of water and sewage facilities for the heating season.
Oleksiy Chernyshov also continued a series of meetings with local authorities on preparations for the autumn-winter period. Earlier, he held meetings with local authorities of Khmelnytsky, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Zhytomyr and Ternopil regions. On Wednesday, July 27, he met with representatives of Ivano-Frankivsk and Kirovograd regions.
The key topics of these meetings were the technical readiness of the communal infrastructure of the regions, price stability, accumulation, availability and accessibility of fuel, including alternative, where possible.
“We will support communities in any situation. This is our responsible position. We have to work together to ensure that the heating season runs smoothly. The government is helping communities switch to alternative fuels and ensure that they are prepared quickly and well for the cold weather,” the Minister said during the meetings.
“I am speaking sincerely and frankly. I have no secrets; I’m not hiding anything. Energy is a weapon. Having that weapon enhances our ability. Therefore, thorough preparation for the heating season is part of the defense of the state,” summarized Chernyshov.