The transformation of coal regions will take place taking into account the needs of miners in employment and social security, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine said on Thursday.
As told by the acting. Energy Minister Olga Buslavets during an online meeting with miners' trade unions, held at the initiative of the head of the Ministry, Ukraine cannot be on the side of commitments to a green transition, modernization and decarbonization of the economy.
“Only with the support of trade unions and collectives can we successfully reform the coal industry, and only if we understand the challenges we face today,” Olga Buslavets said.
At the same time, she assured the participants of the meeting in a balanced approach to the possibilities of the economy, available fuel and infrastructure resources.
“It is necessary to gradually and carefully move to new technologies. Reforming the coal industry will be carried out in a balanced manner, ”said the head of the Ministry.
The experience of other European countries has shown that coal reform is a long and costly process, and at the same time it is inevitable for Ukraine.
“We must move along this path. Feeling the advantages and disadvantages of certain transformation measures directly “on the ground”, trade unions can also work out proposals to mitigate the situation, attract investors to coal regions, ”Olga Buslavets said.
According to her, it is important for miners to see the prospects for employment in other areas and understand that the state will not leave them to their fate.
“We have no plans to close everything and disband people in one or two years. Everything will happen in such a way as to take into account all the needs of people living in coal regions. We need to show people the prospects where exactly they will be able to earn money and support their families, ”she said. Minister.
For the successful implementation of the reform, the Ministry prepared proposals for pilot projects for the transformation of coal mines, which will not only solve the problem of individual cities, but also concentrate positive experience in order to gradually spread it to the entire industry.
It is planned to involve international partners in the implementation of pilot projects. They have already expressed their interest not only in pilot projects, but also in the implementation of the reform in Ukraine as a whole. In particular, the Minister of Economy and Energy of Germany proposed to create a multifund, in which Germany is ready to invest a first contribution in the amount of 20 million euros and calls on other states to participate. The UK has received an offer to join the Coalless Alliance, which will provide an opportunity to attract financial resources to reform the coal industry.
