OREANDA-NEWS. March 03, 2010. Starting March 1, 2010, Vostokenergo (DTEK) has terminated electricity exports to its foreign counterparties in the Burshtynskaya TPP Island direction. The decision has been conditioned by the high probability of emergency shutdown of Burshtynskaya TPP due to critically low coal stocks at the power plant.

According to Vitaly Butenko, DTEK Chief Strategy Officer, this situation has occurred because of the imperfect regulation framework for electricity exports and inefficient system of interaction and coordination between the key parties and the regulating bodies of Ukraine’s fuel-energy sector. ‘The situation is rather difficult for Ukraine’s fuel-energy sector as a whole.

DTEK has decided to make concessions to the Ministry of Fuel and Energy and reduce exports in February from 250 MW to 155 MW and suspend exports in March, thus reducing pressure over Burshtyn Island caused by the deficit of gaseous coal grades. Ensuring stable and reliable operations of Burshtyn Island is the key condition of preserving Ukraine’s reputation as that of a reliable electricity supplier to Europe. DTEK, as a strategic energy holding, believes it to be a more weighty argument than a short-term commercial benefit’, said Vitaly Butenko.