Historic first: Ukraine uses only its own gas for this year’s heating season

Ukraine's heating season of 2023–2024 is passing for the first time in history on gas from domestic production.

Around 10 billion cubic meters of gas are stored in reserves as of today, Rubryka reports, citing a statement by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.

"We are experiencing this heating season for the first time in Ukraine's history using gas from our own production," said the head of the government.

Shmyhal stressed that the national gas operator "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and the state mining enterprise "Ukrgazvydobuvannya" increased gas production volumes by 11% and opened new gas production wells of considerable volume.

"Currently, we have about 10 billion cubic meters of gas in our storage facilities. And indeed, we are going through this heating season using exclusively Ukrainian-produced gas," Shmyhal said.

The prime minister highlighted that Ukraine also has a balanced power grid this winter. He recalled that Ukraine had already become part of the European electricity system ENTSO-E.

"We have increased the capacity of electricity imports to 1.7 GW," said the prime minister.

The politician noted that 1.7 GW is a significant capacity that helps the country balance the power grid during Russian attacks and for other needs.

"In general, I am convinced that thanks to the work of our Armed Forces, air defense systems, and our heroic energy workers, we will pass this heating season steadily, as we have done yearly," said PM Shmyhal. "Certainly, it's difficult, it's challenging, but we are united by the desire to win, the desire to stand firm. And I am convinced that it will be so." 

Back in November last year, the press service of Naftogaz announced that for the first time in its history, Ukraine entered the heating season without importing natural gas.

We also reported that "Ukrgazvydobuvannya" managed to launch one of the most powerful gas wells.

PJSC "Ukrgazvydobuvannya," belonging to the "Naftogaz" group, discovered a new gas field, the reserves of which could reach a billion cubic meters of natural gas.

Amid the cold weather, there are more and more questions about the country's readiness for winter. Will there be heating? Will there be the ability to cook and heat water?

Rubryka, together with the "Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine," explains what the residents of the Kyiv region can expect. Read more in our article: "Winter 2024: Answering questions about the readiness of gas networks in Kyiv region."