Kryvyi Rih TPP suspends operations to accumulate coal reserves

Kryvyi Rih thermal power plant (TPP), which is part of DTEK, the country’s largest private energy holding, was temporarily halted to ensure accumulation of coal reserves, the holding's press service reported.

"The operation of DTEK Kryvyi Rih TPP was halted tonight. It has not received fuel since February because of the coal supplies blockade. The plant’s single unit has been operating for as long as possible to provide central heating to 14 000 residents of the town of Zelenodolsk up to the end of the heating season", - the report said.

30 000 tons of coal remains now at Kryvyi Rih TPP stockpile, which is a mandatory required reserve of fuel in case of emergency in the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU). The TPP will be able to start operations at the command of the energy system operator. Kryvyi Rih TPP, as well as Prydniprovska TPP, compensate for the power of the Dnipro energy center during repairs at Zaporizhia NPP.

During the forced shutdown of Kryvyi Rih TPP, the employees are involved in repairing necessary equipment. DTEK's power engineers should finish their work by the mid-summer.

"To purchase imported coal for the Kryvyi Rih TPP, additional resources are needed: the price for imports is twice as high as the price for Ukrainian coal ($110-115 per ton), while the debt of the energy market to DTEK’s Kryvyi Rih TPP was $17.2 million as of March 1, – Vitaliy Pitko, director of Kryvyi Rih TPP said. – Within a few months the TPP will suspend its operation to accumulate at least the minimum required stock of coal to its warehouses. DTEK has already contracted one ship with anthracite and it is expected to come in May".

It is the fourth suspended TPP from the beginning of April. On April 5, 2017, the company suspended operations of Tripilska TPP and Prydniprovska TPP. On April 7, 2017, the company halted the work of Zmiivska thermal power plant.