Ukraine Continues Reduction of Russian Gas Purchases, Says PM Azarov

Ukraine continues realization of a policy of energy effectiveness and reduction of purchases of expensive Russian gas. This was declared by Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov during An Hour of Questions to the Government held on Friday, April 19 in the Parliament.

“Could anyone back in 2009 realize that Ukraine will be able to reduce in times the volumes of consuming the Russian gas? But facts are persevering: in the current year we have purchased from Gazprom 8 times less gas than the previous year. Over 2012 we shortened consumption of imported gas by 12 billion, to 33 billion cubic meters. Just compare it to 52 billions, as we had been forced (to buy),” Mykola Azarov urged.

At this, he reminded that pursuant to the bonded gas deal of 2009, signed by the former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine had been obliged to annually buy 52 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

The Premier underlined that significant reduction of consumption of expensive Russian natural gas could have ensured at the account of energy diversifying of purchase of energy carriers, realization of a program for energy saving and increase of domestic extraction of hydrocarbons.

Moreover, the Prime Minister reminded that the Government had modernized thermal power stations and transferred their part on national coal, renewed facilities of nuclear and hydro power stations and significantly increased extraction of energy coal, it is also increasing the domestic extraction of natural gas.

Mykola Azarov emphasized that firstly in Ukrainian history world leaders dealing with extraction in this area were drawn to participate, namely Shell, Chevron and Exxon Mobil. Moreover, the Government has agreed on reverse supply of gas purchased from European spot markets.

According to Mykola Azarov, for the recent three years the capacity of alternative energy and production of renewable energy sources increased fivefold.

“Opposition leaders never remember who is an initiator of raising tariffs for energy carriers for the population. I will remind whose signature is under the commitment to the International Monetary Fund to raise in times the tariffs for the population, (it is) of Prime Minister Tymoshenko. It is you whom Ukrainian people should thank for not only bounded gas price, but for the constant demand of the IMF that the population must pay such a price,” Mykola Azarov summed up.

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LNG World News Staff, April 22, 2013; Image: kmu.gov.ua