Ukraine to Increase Gas Imports from EU

Kiev and Brussels renew their intention to strengthen energy cooperation, with Ukraine announcing an increase in gas import capacity from the EU and Naftogaz’ CEO Andriy Kobolyev saying that the country could get 90% of its gas from Europe.

‘As of 24 January 2015 Ukraine will be able to further increase its gas imports from the European Union (EU) thanks to the increase of transport capacity from the current 31.5 million cubic meters (mcm) per day to approximately 40 mcm per day’ reads a note released on Friday. 

On Wednesday, Eustream announced Open Season procedure to offer the increased capacity due to technical measures taken at the Ukrainian side. 

“I welcome these developments because they contribute to safeguarding the security of gas supply. It's an important step on the way to further connect Ukraine to the European Internal Energy Market. The increase of gas transport from the European Union to Ukraine demonstrates our solidarity with our neighboring countries” European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič commented. 

Almost simultaneously, Naftogaz said Ukraine could decrease to 10% its dependence on Russia.

“We could get as much as 90 percent of the gas from Europe if we fail to agree on a price with Gazprom” Kobolyev said as reported on Naftogaz’ website, adding that Germany’s RWE, France’s GDF Suez and Norway’s Statoil are already taking advantage of Russian decision to cut supplies.