Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry tightens oversight of coal supplies, debt repayment to coal producersThe Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan will monitor the preparation of the coal industry for the upcoming heating season, the ministry's press service reported.According to the press service, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenshenov chaired a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of coal mining companies, government agencies, and industry associations to prepare for the upcoming heating season."Ensuring the smooth operation of the upcoming heating season is our top priority, and success here depends on two key factors: financial discipline and strict adherence to supply schedules. (...) There must be no disruptions in the heat supply to the population and social facilities," the Energy Minister is quoted as saying by the press service.He noted that a key problem in the industry is the debt owed by power generating facilities to coal companies. As of today, the debt owed solely to Bogatyr Komir LLP amounts to about 3 billion tenge.The Energy Minister emphasized that the coal industry generates about 70% of the country's electricity and is fundamental to the operation of industrial giants and the housing and utilities sector. Kazakhstan, possessing coal reserves of 33.6 billion tonnes, should not face problems in supplying the domestic market.In this regard, the Minister instructed the committee of atomic and energy supervision and control, together with regional akimats, to ensure weekly monitoring of coal stockpiling and to continue efforts to forcibly reduce the debt owed to coal mining companies.Coal mining enterprises have been instructed to strictly comply with production plans and prioritize coal shipments for communal needs and power plants, the press service statement said.It stressed that the Ministry of Energy is assuming full coordination of all processes related to ensuring the country's coal supply and will oversee the implementation of instructions on a weekly basis. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX