Gas consumption in Ukraine decreased by 40%

The volume of gas consumed in Ukraine has decreased by an average of 40% since February, said the Minister of Energy of the country Herman Galushchenko, transmits TASS.

“We are already counting on the fact of consumption … On average, this is 40%, and somewhere around 45% and 50% of the fall,” he said.

The minister acknowledged that the upcoming heating season in the country will be one of the most difficult, but the authorities plan to create a gas reserve for possible crisis situations for electricity generation. Now in Ukraine electricity is produced in excess, the country can export it to the EU countries and Moldova, he added.

At the end of July, Poland was the largest external supplier of gas to Ukraine. A virtual reverse from the country has become impossible since May, as Poland refused to pay Gazprom in rubles. Previously, Ukraine purchased Russian gas from Slovakia and Hungary on a virtual reverse basis, receiving it from the general flow. Now, Naftogaz has to wait until the flow of gas crosses the borders, and then returns to Ukraine from European countries.

The head of Naftogaz, Yuriy Vitrenko, said at the end of July that by August, storage reserves would amount to 11.8 billion cubic meters. m of gas. According to him, the company continues to accumulate gas at a rate of 34-35 million cubic meters. m per day. For the passage of the heating season (begins in mid-October), Ukraine needs 15-19 billion cubic meters. m of gas.

On July 26, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine intends to apply to the United States with a request for a “gas lend-lease.” According to him, the country is preparing for winter and is looking for solutions for the heating season.

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