DTEK energy holding of Rinat Akhmetov stirs up coal miners' protests in western Ukraine, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchyhsyn told reporters in Kyiv on Jan. 27.
“First this is happening in the western region – Lviv and Volyn where we take coal and supply it to Zakhidenergo. However, DTEK uses any methods to stimulate people to attack me, go to the streets and do not work. Not to produce coal that I could sell to Zakhidenergo,” he said.
The minister added that state-run coalmines shipped 100,000 tonnes of coal to Zakhidenergo (belongs to DTEK), while the mines did not receive payments for this coal.
“This year we again shipped around 80,000 tonnes. They also did not pay,” he said.
Demchyhsyn said that in 2016, Hr 500 million was provided from the national budget, and this would allow paying the debts to coal miners.
“In January, we received Hr 50 million and Hr 180 million will be provided in February. It is enough to pay debts. We hope to receive the money on Feb. 1 or Feb.2. However, some people have the principal position: this does not suit us. Irrespective of the fact if they produce coal or not, fulfill the target or not. They say: this does not suit us. Money first!” he said.
The minister said that this position could be explained by political motives and a desire to shatter the situation.
