The Ministry of Energy and Mines has not taken appropriate steps to ensure that the companies producing electricity in Ukraine could do without coal from the occupied territories, but conversely, has increased dependence of the Ukrainians on coal from the uncontrolled regions of Donbas. The MP from UKROP Vitaliy Kupriy said it commenting on the situation to the journalists.
The MP has recalled that in early September last year, Minister of Energy and Mines Ihor Nasalyk unlawfully influenced the decision of the Board of Wholesale Electricity Market of Ukraine in order to prevent nuclear power plants from producing enough cheap electricity and instead allowed the company “Donbasenergo” (Starobeshevska and Slovyanska CHP stations), which is associated with Oleksandr Yanukovych, to generate more electricity using anthracite coal. “This is an absurd situation, because it was obvious that the coal will be purchased only on the uncontrolled territories and the generated power will be more expensive than electricity from nuclear power plants. This decision has put Ukraine in position of dependence on the aggressor. But Mr. Nasalyk has pursued his agenda,” said Vitaliy Kupriy.
The politician has recalled that he had applied to the NABU demanding to open criminal proceedings and bring the Minister to justice under the article “abuse of power”, as he had not allowed producing cheaper electricity, defending the interests of “Donbasenergo”. The anticorruption bureau was for a long time refusing to respond to the appeal and finally due to the court decision had to open proceedings. However, it is now closed, and the defendant in the case has not been questioned. “NABU does not want to prosecute corrupt officials, covering them and becoming accomplice of a crime that may result in energy tragedy in Ukraine,” states Vitaliy Kupriy.
The MP also says that now he is seeking reopening of the criminal proceedings against Ihor Nasalyk in court.
