Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Coal supplies to Moldova could partially solve problems of Lviv, Volyn mines

Kate Kikot
28 January, 2025 Tuesday
19:22

If Ukraine establishes coal supplies to Moldova in exchange for electricity, it will improve the situation of Lviv and Volyn coal mines, which have lost their main consumers due to the destruction of thermal power plants

client/title.list_title

Mykhailo Bondar, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coal Industry of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities, said this in a commentary to Espreso.

“Due to the Russian occupatio of the territories in Donbas where coal was mined, there are not many operating coal mines in the territory controlled by Ukraine. In fact, these are only Lviv and Volyn regions. But the coal in the Lviv-Volyn basin has a high sulfur content. It does not meet European standards. Therefore, two questions arise: whether Moldova is ready to lower these standards and whether their power units can burn this coal.”

According to the MP, if Moldova is ready to take coal from the Lviv-Volyn basin, it could solve the problem with sales that the mines faced after the destruction of thermal power plants.

“If we could sell coal products abroad and receive electricity in return, it would be beneficial for both countries,” says Bondar. ”The situation with debts at the mines is catastrophic. Large coal reserves have been accumulated in warehouses. Yes, companies sell it to the population, cement plants, and thermal power plants. But these volumes are not enough.”

In other words, if Lviv coal mines could increase coal sales through deliveries to Moldova, it would help cover a significant part of its debts, including salary payments to miners. However, there is an important nuance here.

“A large number of debts are related to the debts of Centrenergo, Coal of Ukraine and various entities that have not paid the company for the coal they received. There are criminal proceedings that have been going on for years, and the debts are growing. That is, even when coal is sold, this money is distributed somewhere at the top in such a way that miners do not have enough to pay their salaries,” says Bondar. ”Therefore, it is important not just to establish supplies to Moldova, but how they will be organized. For example, if Ukraine receives electricity in exchange for coal, who and how will be responsible for the funds that should go to the miners? Therefore, a clear algorithm must be developed - who pays for coal, in what timeframe, so that miners understand that at the end of the month they will receive money for their salary.”

More information about possible coal supplies to Moldova

On January 1, 2025, after the suspension of Russian gas supplies, Transnistria faced a serious energy crisis. Rolling blackouts began in the region. The Moldovan thermal power plant, which used to use Russian gas, has now switched to burning coal, in particular anthracite from Donbas, which was imported in 2013 as a backup fuel. The Moldovan government stated that these reserves would last only until the end of January.

On January 25, during a meeting between Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they discussed the possibility of supplying Ukrainian coal to Moldova in exchange for electricity.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
10 February
12:11
Exclusive
Ukraine's Kostiantynivka becomes new focal point for Russian forces — military expert Zgurets
11:49
99 clashes at front on Feb. 9: Ukrainian forces repel 33 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
11:30
Exclusive
Russian army lacks strong reserves in Pokrovsk sector — Ukrainian officer
11:12
Three key factors critical to stabilizing Russian-Ukrainian front — Ukraine’s top general
10:55
Russia can’t ignore heavy losses in Ukraine much longer — NATO military chief
10:37
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian troops trying to raise flags in Toretsk, Donetsk region
10:16
Russia launches overnight drone attack on Ukraine, hitting residential area in Sumy
09:54
Russia’s Krasnodar region reports drone attack: Afipsky oil refinery likely targeted
09:35
Russia loses over 850,000 soldiers in Ukraine since start of invasion
2025, Sunday
9 February
21:30
Drone Line: Ukraine's new large-scale military initiative
21:00
Zelenskyy: Russia pushes for elections in Ukraine to install puppet president
20:30
Zelenskyy: Putin plans to move on Poland, Hungary, Baltics after Ukraine
20:00
Invisible, cheap, and dangerous: Why Russians want to copy Ukraine's Chaklun drone
19:30
Why Hungary will supply Russian gas to Transnistria
19:00
Zelenskyy predicts Ukraine will recover Russian-occupied regions
18:30
Russian forces destroy gas facility in Kharkiv region
18:00
Germany spots suspicious drones over training base
17:35
Partisans identify Russian oil depot in Smolensk region
17:05
"Death to Ukrainians": The Day Muravyov’s army stormed Kyiv
16:35
Higher education and homes: Zelenskyy unveils military recruitment benefits for young men
16:05
Russia deploys Italmas drone – how dangerous is it?
15:35
16-hour battle: Ukraine's 47th brigade repels Russian, North Korean attacks in Kursk region
15:05
Russian tanker carrying 130,000 tons of fuel oil sinks in Leningrad region
14:37
North Korea uses Ukraine war to test military potential, experts say
13:40
Prince Harry honors Ukrainian heroes at Invictus Games 2025 opening
13:17
Exclusive
Russia can't keep advancing: It is running out of reserves
12:30
Russian spy ship ablaze near Syria, but how did it get there? – Defense Express
12:30
Exclusive
War will last years, until Russia's economy is exhausted: What Trump might ask Putin
12:00
Exclusive
Trump compares Ukraine to Gaza: Will he suggest resettling Ukrainians at his meeting with Zelenskyy?
11:30
How Ukrainian Air Defense and drone operators take down Russian military aircraf
11:00
Nuclear plant region in Western Ukraine hit by large-scale Russian attack
10:35
Russia loses aircraft, 24 artillery systems, 1,460 soldiers in one day in Ukraine – General Staff
2025, Saturday
8 February
20:00
Review
AIM-120 missiles: how Ukraine’s F-16s, NASAMS counter air, missile threats
19:40
Debate on peacekeepers in Ukraine are “inappropriate and premature”, says Scholz
19:26
Russia's artillery superiority decreased fivefold over past year - Ukraine’s top general
19:05
Putin expands Russian army for war, and not just against Ukraine — Zelenskyy
18:55
Updated
Ukrainian forces shoot down Russian Su-25 in Donetsk region
18:41
Exclusive
Ukraine’s defeat may prove to be strategic catastrophe for West - Russian opposition politician
18:18
Russian airstrike on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region injures family
17:51
Ukraine’s Kursk operation aims to prevent Russian advance on Sumy, Kharkiv regions - Zelenskyy
More news