The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine has prepared a draft concept for reforming the coal region, based on the prospects of coal mining enterprises and the need to solve a number of problems accumulated in the industry.
"The industry needs urgent and comprehensive reform, which will proceed from the needs of the state in the field of energy, social development of mining regions and international obligations of Ukraine, and be based on the objective capabilities of the state industry and state authorities," Olga Buslavets said during presentation of the concept draft.
Among several reform options, the Ministry has identified a priority method for combining the privatization process and the process of integrating state-owned mines into Centrenergo PJSC. This path includes the distribution of mines into three groups. The first group - mines to be integrated with PJSC "Centerenergo" and are its resource base. The second is dual-use mines, the sale of which is not limited exclusively to thermal generation. The third group of mines is those that will be offered for privatization not only as coal mining enterprises, but also as integral property complexes that can be used for other economic activities.
“As part of the allocation, the Ministry will be guided by the results of the audit of state enterprises, the investment and geological potential of each mine, the needs of Centrenergo and objective data on the investment attractiveness of state mines,” Buslavets said.
The Ministry of Energy, together with foreign partners, in particular, the German government and international organizations, are currently selecting mines for pilot projects to transform coal mono-cities. The Ministry of Energy offered the German side 6 mines - in the west and east of Ukraine.
Among the potential first pilot projects, two of the proposed mines are being considered: the Velikomostovskaya mine, located in the west of the country, in the city of Chervonograd, and the city of Mirnohrad, and has the potential of a technological cluster.
“The goal of all pilot projects will not only solve the problems of a specific area, but also create experiences that are easily transferred. All pilot projects will be implemented according to the principle of forming clusters: technological, tourist, innovative and others, ”Olga Buslavets summed up.
