The daily gas transport capacity between the Czech Republic and Slovak is set to increase from 67 million cubic meters to 120 million cubic meters in three years.
Following gas price increase for Ukraine by Russia in January 2016, Ukraine has increased gas imports from the European Union. Gas imports via Slovakia to Ukraine have doubled over the last hours.
The daily gas transit to Ukraine via Vojany-Uzhgorod reverse gas pipeline has reached less than 19 million cubic meters over the first days of the year 2016. Gas transit even dropped to roughly 12 million cubic meters on Wednesday.
According to Slovak gas carrier Eustream, halting gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine is just a usual business decision by Ukraine which currently does not need to purchase natural gas from Gazprom.
The Slovak-Hungarian gas pipeline officially started commercial operation in July 2015. However, gas traders have showed no interest in transporting gas via this new pipeline.
The state-owned company Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel (SPP) remains the most important player on the Slovak gas market. Alternative suppliers have repeatedly reduced SPP’s market share moderately.
Ukrainians have been using the capacity of Vojany-Uzhgorod gas pipeline to roughly 50 percent since early September, as their daily gas shipments from Slovakia are roughly 23.5 million cubic meters.
According to the Slovak power grid operator SEPS, consumption and domestic production in the Slovak grid is balanced also during hot summer days. Slovenske Elektarne has no problems with electricity production.
Podľa Slovenskej elektrizačnej prenosovej sústavy aj počas horúcich letných dní je v našej elektrizačnej sústave približne vyrovnaná spotreba a domáca výroba. Problémy s výrobou elektriny nehlásia ani Slovenské elektrárne.
Pokračujúce vysoké horúčavy, nízke hladiny riek a s tým spojené problémy s chladením poľských elektrární a vysoká spotreba elektriny z klimatizácií. To všetko donútilo poľského prevádzkovateľa rozvodnej siete obmedziť dodávky elektriny pre podniky v krajine, informuje agentúra Bloomberg.
Companies ZSE Energia, Vychodoslovenska Energetika and Stredoslovenska Energetika dominate electricity supplies and gas utility Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel gas supplies.
Eustream has been transferring 50 percent less gas to Ukraine since May. According to European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, every company strives for the biggest profitability of its operations and therefore the price is decisive when purchasing gas.
Prime Minister Robert Fico is convinced that gas supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine through the main gas pipeline would mean a breach of contractual conditions with the Russian Federation.