Deputy Minister of Energy Yaroslav Demchenkov said that it is possible to create clusters of sustainable energy at closed coal mines, in particular in Lviv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
This will accelerate the transformation of coal regions, create new high-quality jobs, and also allow the use of the existing infrastructure of enterprises, the Ministry of Energy reports on Facebook.
This happened during consultations on the topic "Just transformation: opportunities for Lviv region" within the framework of the project "Supporting Structural Changes in the Coal Regions of Ukraine".
Demchenkov emphasized that currently most of the settlements of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where coal mining is carried out, are located in the combat zone, occupied or blocked by the enemy. Mines in such conditions cannot fully function, and this creates new environmental risks and socio-economic problems. According to the World Bank, the shutdown of part of the coal mining enterprises means total losses of more than $300 million.
He added that the Ministry of Energy is developing the Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2050, which defines key directions and provides for the restoration of the energy sector based on the principles of sustainable development and the introduction of new green technologies and standards.
Demchenkov emphasized that Ukraine needs the support of partners in the physical closure of coal mines and the reorientation of CHPs and TPPs that worked on coal to alternative steel sources. Help is also needed in the formulation and implementation of the policy of gradual liquidation of the coal industry and fair transformation.
"We have time to form the Fund for the Fair Transformation of the Coal Regions of Ukraine and to provide financial contributions to it for the implementation of projects, in particular from the physical closure of coal mines," he said, adding that the Lviv region is a good place to implement project initiatives to support regional development.
It is noted that with the support of the German government, in 2023, a pilot Plan for the liquidation of the Velikomostov mine and support for its implementation will be developed. The project can become an example of an integrated approach to the development of the territory. It provides for the creation of an industrial park in Chervonohrad, measures to increase energy efficiency and economic diversification.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that the city of Myrnograd, located in Donetsk region, since 2017 has implemented about 25-30% of the planned energy and climate measures, according to preliminary estimates, within the framework of the European Commission's "Agreement of Mayors" initiative.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, experts of the International Energy Agency (IEA) called for a quick transition from coal generation to alternative energy sources and developed accessible and fair recommendations for governments.
