Energy analyst assessed whether Ukraine has enough gas reserves to get through the winter.

Ukraine's gas reserves for winter
Ukraine's gas reserves for winter

Energy expert Olga Buslavets announced that Ukraine's gas reserves will not be enough for the winter. She noted that despite attacks on gas extraction facilities and storage sites, Naftogaz Group has accumulated 12.9 billion cubic meters of gas for the winter of 2024/2025, which is 22% less than last year. Assuming a similar level of consumption, she predicts that Ukraine will use about 6.7 billion cubic meters of gas from underground storage facilities. Currently, more than 8 billion cubic meters of gas that can be extracted for use is stored in underground storage facilities.

As for electricity, the situation is stable. Current consumption allows some power units to be kept in reserve, so the country practically does not use electricity imports. Recently, the limit on electricity imports by Ukraine has been expanded, which will provide support to the energy system until the first negative temperatures.

Coal stocks at thermal generation warehouses are at maximum levels – 3.2 million tons. However, electricity production from renewable sources has temporarily decreased due to low rainfall levels.

The debt of "Ukrenergo" to the "Guaranteed Buyer" amounts to UAH 28.4 billion, and the debt of the "Guaranteed Buyer" to energy producers is UAH 29.5 billion.

Gas consumption in October was lower than last year but higher than in 2021. This is due to increased gas consumption for electricity generation. Daily gas consumption in Ukraine reached 50 million cubic meters, and on October 31, the season of gas withdrawal from storage facilities officially began.

On the wholesale electricity market, prices in the Integrated Power System of Ukraine increased by 5% over the past week. The cost of base load was from 107 euros/MWh to 136 euros/MWh.

Electricity prices on Ukraine's western border also rose significantly: in Romania by 23%, in Slovakia by 10%, and in Hungary by 8%.


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