The readiness of the fuel and energy complex, housing, communal and social facilities, as well as transport infrastructure for the autumn-winter period of 2022/23 was the topic for discussion on September 28 during a conference call chaired by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal with the heads of the regional military administrations.
The meeting also gathered together Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of Temporary Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk, Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Chernyshov, Minister of Energy German Galushchenko, Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Roman Strilets, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Tymoshenko.
“Everyone is preparing for the most challenging heating season. I am grateful to the regions for the performance of preparedness, which currently exceeds 88%. The Government, for its part, continues to work on the provision of energy resources. Currently, we have almost 14 billion cubic meters of gas and 2.2 million tons of coal,” said Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the key task for the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development as well as of responsible authorities in the coming weeks is to reach 100% readiness for the heating season.
Denys Shmyhal also reported that the day before the Government had allocated UAH 562 million in subventions for the purchase of firewood to the regions. This will make it possible to purchase 400,000 cubic meters of wood for distribution to people in the front-line territories: “Everything must be implemented quickly, brought and distributed to people before the onset of cold weather.”
Energy Minister German Galushchenko noted that it is planned to accumulate 14.5-15 billion cubic meters of gas at the beginning of the heating season. In addition, there are agreements to import a certain volume of gas to create a reserve stock. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources reported that it is planned to sell 5 million cubic meters of firewood for this heating season. Today, according to the Ministry’s data, all needs in wood are fully met.
The participants also discussed military risks during the heating season. In particular, all regions must have ready-made plans for anti-crisis response and interaction of organizations in case of destruction of critical infrastructure facilities. Moreover, a round-the-clock headquarters for liquidation of the consequences of military destruction of energy and communal infrastructure has already been set up and are working.