Naftogaz invests 5 billion hryvnias in its thermal power plants to strengthen energy security

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine made a decision regarding recapitalization of thermal power plants under the management of Naftogaz of Ukraine. The total amount of investments will be almost 5 billion hryvnias. This was reported by the representative of the government in the Verkhovna Rada, Taras Melnychuk.

According to the government's decision, Naftogaz will acquire ordinary registered shares of such joint-stock companies as "Dniprovska Thermal Power Plant", "Kryvorizka Thermal Power Plant", "Kherson Thermal Power Plant", "Odesa Thermal Power Plant" and the private joint-stock company "Mykolaiv Thermal Power Plant". The total value of the transaction will be 4.92 billion hryvnias.

The purpose of this recapitalization is to stabilize the financial and economic activity of the mentioned enterprises, to improve calculations for natural gas, as well as to update the production capacities and technical base of the CHPP. This will ensure the efficient operation of enterprises and improve energy supply in the conditions of military operations.

In May, the head of Naftogaz, Oleksiy Chernyshov, suggested using the company's infrastructure to install gas-fired power plants. He noted that this decision will allow to quickly increase generating capacity and ensure the stability of Ukraine's energy system.

"Naftogaz" is ready to provide its thermal power plants for the placement of gas turbines or gas piston units. The company also guarantees sufficient volumes of natural gas for their work, stressing that modern gas plants are much more energy efficient than outdated thermal power plants.

Chernyshov emphasized that the use of the existing infrastructure of the CHP will significantly reduce the time it takes to put new gas-fired power plants into operation. This is possible due to the absence of the need for the construction of new access roads, gas pipelines and substations.

"Naftogaz" also has its own plans for the installation of new gas installations, paying special attention to the enterprises of "Ukrnafta". Although electricity is not the company's main activity, Naftogaz is aware of the importance of ensuring the country's energy security and is ready to contribute to this process.

The Government of Ukraine actively supports this initiative and is conducting negotiations regarding the supply of gas installations. According to Chernyshov, there are already certain specific agreements on this issue.

The principle of operation of gas generation on the basis of the thermal power plant includes the installation of gas turbines or gas piston units on the site of the thermal power plant, the supply of natural gas from the Naftogaz gas transportation system, the combustion of gas in the combustion chamber of the turbine or the cylinders of the engine, the conversion of the energy of hot gases into the movement of the turbine or pistons, which is transmitted on a generator that produces electricity.

This approach will allow to quickly increase the amount of electricity generation in Ukraine, which is especially important in the conditions of war and constant attacks on the energy infrastructure.