“Photo: Istockphoto.com is reminiscent of difficult winter periods every year in early autumn, but later the heating season ends, and again “somehow survived”. Experts point out that the soft winters of the last three years have been a little spoiled, so people are not aware of real risks in the conditions of truly harsh frosts. Will gas stocks be enough and as a regular citizen can protect himself […]”, – WRITE: Businessua.com.ua
Photo: istockphoto.com
Every year in early autumn, Ukrainians are reminded of difficult winter periods, but later the heating season ends, and again “somehow experienced”. Experts point out that the soft winters of the last three years have been a little spoiled, so people are not aware of real risks in the conditions of truly harsh frosts.
Will gas stocks be enough and how can a regular citizen protect himself from a potential deficit? More – in the material Briefly about.
“13 billion is not enough” Every year, on the eve of winter, experts are asked about the same: what amount of gas stored and why is it so small?
Oleg Popenko. Photo: facebook.com/olegpopenko
– The filling of the repositories is ongoing, by November 1 it is planned to pump about 13.2 billion cubic meters, almost as much as last year, – said in a comment Briefly about Head of the Utility Consumers Union Oleg Popenko. – Last year, at the abnormally high gas supply temperatures, it was enough only until February, after which it was necessary to carry out the dosage at high tariffs. Therefore, current plans do not meet real challenges. Without a soft winter, the resources will not be enough.
According to the words Yuri Korolchuk’s energy analystsince April, 5.5 billion cubic meters managed to pump, so there are about 11 billion part in the storage facilities now – its own production, imports are reduced due to lack of funds.
– Earlier, storage was completed before the start of the heating season – October 15, – explains the expert in a conversation with a conversation with Briefly about. – However, in recent years, October has been warm, so the process was continued until November. It is now believed that by November 1 it is possible to pump another 2 billion. There will be 13 billion together, but if October will bring early frosts, the work will be stopped.
Even under optimistic conditions, 13 billion cubic meters are not enough, Korolchuk continues. Last season with the same number barely coped. We will remind: in January-February purchased 800 million cubic meters, industrial enterprises switched to winter regime (for example, Cherkasy “Azot” stood all February), and winter was recorded. Even under these conditions, reserves have fallen to a critical level.
– The buffer gas threshold was reduced to 4.6 billion, but in fact the elasticity of the system is lost at 5 billion, – said Yuri Korolchuk. – This makes the processes of use and replenishment much more expensive.
“We count on a soft winter” 
Yuri Korolchuk. Photo: delo.ua
Optimists emphasize that the two previous seasons of Ukraine also survived from 13 billion cubic meters, given the gas of traders in 2023/2024. However, according to Korolchuk, last winter the presence of transit (more than 1 billion cubic meters on a monthly basis) and the merchant reserve created additional pressure in the system.
– For three years in a row we are lucky with temperatures, but now there is neither traditional gas nor transit, – the analyst notes. – It deprives us of “airbags”. Naftogaz apparently counts on loans (for example, $ 500 million from the EBRD) to buy gas as needed. However, there are no guarantees: the funds are only reserved, and prices in winter can fly up to $ 550-600 per thousand cubic meters.
“Ordinary Citizens are defenseless” It is estimated that Ukraine requires a minimum of 16 billion cubic meters. In case of shortage, radical measures will be taken: restrictions for industry, reduction of heat supply to the apartment, distance training, shutdown on the schedule.
– Even in the mild winter, the situation will be tense, – Korolchuk assures. – The residents of multi -storey buildings cannot be prepared: not replaced centralized heating. The inclusion of heaters will overload the mains, which are so damaged after 2022. The only option for private homes is solid fuel boilers, but for multi -apartment – only hope for heat.
Oleg Popenko emphasizes that with a shortage of temperature in apartments can be reduced to 13-14 ° C. Electrical appliances will not be a way out: Khrushchev networks are not designed for peak loads, and current generation also depends on the gas.
– It remains to be advised to insulate housing, but for many it is not available because of cost, – summarized the expert.
Source: kp.ua
Please wait …