The situation surrounding the Chervonograd Enrichment Plant (CEP) poses significant risks to the operational stability of state-owned mines and the preparations for the 2026-2027 heating season.
Recent communications from miners and trade unions highlight critical issues within the Lviv-Volyn basin, particularly concerning the CEP, which is essential for the functioning of the state enterprises Lvivvuhillia and Volynvuhillia. A member of parliament emphasized that the issues at hand extend beyond mere operational difficulties.
Currently, the plant is non-operational, with outstanding wage payments and disruptions in production processes. The challenges are not attributed to wartime conditions or resource shortages but suggest external interference and decisions made outside the state’s interests.
The repercussions of this situation are already being felt across the sector, with declining coal production, risks to wage payments for miners, and an imbalance in the operations of related enterprises. This raises concerns about the readiness for the upcoming heating season.
The parliamentarian has formally requested the Ministry of Energy to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation and a recovery plan for the plant’s operations.
As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Coal Industry Issues, he has directed a parliamentary inquiry to the Minister of Energy, seeking clarity on the current status of the plant, accountability for decisions made, and plans for restoring operations.
He also stressed the necessity for direct state intervention in managing the plant.
The Ministry is urged to assume responsibility for this asset, ensuring the resumption of operations and the payment of wages to employees.
In a related context, members of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Donbas “Solidarity” have echoed concerns that the situation at CEP poses a direct threat to preparations for the 2026-2027 heating season.
Earlier, Mykhailo Volynets, head of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine and a member of parliament, described the Chervonograd Enrichment Plant as a pivotal facility for the Lviv-Volyn basin, crucial for coal enrichment for state mines. He reiterated that the plant is effectively halted due to the influence of shadow entities.
Previous reports indicated that the situation at CEP requires urgent attention, as it directly impacts the reliable supply of coal from the Lviv-Volyn basin to state thermal generation facilities.
The Chervonograd Enrichment Plant's operational challenges threaten coal production and wage payments, prompting calls for government intervention to stabilize the situation ahead of the 2026-2027 heating season.