Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko has suggested that Europe could use the country’s underground gas storage facilities with an available capacity of 15 billion cubic meters.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko has suggested that Europe could use the country’s underground gas storage facilities with an available capacity of 15 billion cubic meters.
“Gas prices at their lowest since months. Great opportunity to make use of (Ukrainian) biggest in Europe underground gas storages with 15 bcm of spare capacities. Аdditional gas volumes will be well needed this winter. And the price downtrend will continue,” Galushchenko tweeted.
After the beginning of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 and the adoption of several packages of sanctions against Moscow by the EU, energy prices have accelerated their rise, placing energy security high both on the global and national agenda, and pushing many European governments to resort to contingency measures. The EU has been looking for alternatives to Russian natural gas, as it has pledged to end its dependence on energy supplies from Russia.
The head of the Ukrainian government also said that there is enough gas in underground gas storage facilities for this winter. The heating season in Ukraine has begun despite attacks from the aggressor country. In particular, in most cities the connection of heat has begun, declared Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on his Facebook page. “Now we have about 14.2 billion cubic meters of gas in gas storage facilities, and this is absolutely enough to get through this winter steadily,” he said.
The official also added that the Russian occupiers have been shelling the energy facilities of Ukraine for the second week. However, he noted that Russian war criminals fail to disable the Ukrainian energy system.
“Energy workers work 24/7. Temporary power outages are possible in certain areas to speed up repair work. We continue to save electricity,” the head of the Ukrainian government said. Shmyhal had said earlier that the housing stock in non-frontline communities of Ukraine is almost 100% ready for the heating season.
