OREANDA-NEWS. June 25, 2013. On implementation of a task of the President of Ukraine the Government has elaborated a Program for modernization of heat supply systems of communal heat power industry for 2013-2014.

For the 3 years Ukraine has the potential to reduce consumption of natural gas in heat production by around 50% or by 4.2 bln cubic meters. This was informed by a Vice Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul during a sitting of the Council of regions, which was held under the chairmanship of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych in Luhansk.

For the three years, from 2010-2013, in Ukraine owing to the taken measures of the Government consumption of natural gas by enterprises of housing and communal services has cut by 10% (from 11.1 bln cu m to 10 bln cu m). this activity is continued.

According to Olexandr Vilkul, saving of natural gas can be achieved in two ways.

The first – at the account of realization of projects directed to saving of gas in transporting of heat energy. It will afford to save 2.2 bln cubic meters of gas.

The second – at the account of reduction of losses in heat production by means of replacement of natural gas by alternative energy carriers. It will afford to economize 2 bln cubic meters of natural gas more. 

“As alternative kinds of fuel it is planned to use, for instance, coal, peat, fuel pellets. Choice of gas alternative depends on peculiarities of regions. In particular, coal will be used in first place in eastern regions of the country, biofuel (peat, pellets) - in central and western regions, solar energy – in the south of the country,” the Vice Premier explained. 

Regions demonstrate various stages of readiness to realize the Program for modernization – starting from pre-feasibility reports and ending in definite projects.

Olexandr Vilkul noted that all the mentioned projects of upgrade of communal heat energy industry are warranted. Notably, 2 projects have a pay-off period up to 2 years, 4 projects – from 2 to 2.5 years, 5 projects – from 4 to 8 years.