Despite the war, Ukraine coal production is growing at state-owned mines.
Production volumes of coal are increasing at state-owned coal mining enterprises. If at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in March 2022, the production volume was 173 thousand tons per month and steadily decreased over time, by the end of 2023, coal miners were able to restore and exceed pre-war indicators, as reported by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine.
In January 2024, production volumes exceeded 178 thousand tons per month, and in February, this figure exceeded 194 thousand tons.
“The situation at coal mining enterprises is difficult – constant shelling, power outages, evacuation of the population, and a shortage of personnel. But despite this, thanks to the coordinated work of the Ministry of Energy and coal mining companies, production growth has been achieved. Daily coal production has increased by more than 1.5 times: if in September this figure was 4.1 thousand tons per day, then in February – 6.7 thousand tons,” said Oleksandr Kheilo, the Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine.
The increase in coal production at state enterprises has allowed an increase in the volumes of solid fuel in the warehouses of energy enterprises. In particular, by the end of February, over 1 million tons of coal had been accumulated in the warehouses of thermal power plants, which is 236 thousand tons more than planned.