Andelija: Coal reserves only for 10 days

Due to the cessation of coal production in the mines belonging to the Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine concern, two blocks at the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant will be shut down from tomorrow. Admir Andelija, General Director of Elektroprivreda Bosnei Hercegovine, stated that only one boiler of Block 3 of the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant will operate to ensure heating for Tuzla and Lukavac. The Kakanj Thermal Power Plant has coal reserves for only 10 days. After that, Andelija warned, the electricity supply will be jeopardized, reports N1.

Andelija said that the electricity supply has been jeopardized for months due to reduced coal production. However, he expressed hope that there will be no power outages.

“We have had an escalation of problems since July regarding electricity production at the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant. The Kreka mine produced half a ton less coal. This is a huge burden on the balance sheet. We tried to secure part of it through procurement from the Stanari mine, which saved the heating season. The situation at the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant's depot is critical. The lignite coal depot for Block 6 is empty, and it produces what comes from the Banovići Mine, which is not on strike. This can no longer be managed technically or safely. Therefore, the decision is to take Block 6 out of production. Due to the lignite situation, Block 4 is being deactivated. Only one boiler of Block 3 will be activated to ensure heating for Tuzla and Lukavac. This will continue until the necessary quantities of coal are secured,” said Andelija.

He stated that the situation is better at the Kakanj Thermal Power Plant because three blocks are operating for electricity production, but this requires higher coal consumption. There are reserves for only 10 days.

“This is the reason why the mines need to start coal production as soon as possible. I have received information that the unions will agree to continue discussions. I expect production to resume. Such a situation suits no one,” said Andelija.

He congratulated the miners on their decision to end the protests in Sarajevo and continue them at the mines.

“We need to solve problems in our own homes, and I believe we will succeed,” he said.

He warned that Elektroprivreda BiH cannot bear the burden of reorganizing and operating the mines alone, as it has been doing so far, and that they will not allow EPBiH to be the only one to suffer. He also stated that if they are forced to bear the costs themselves, they will seek an adjustment in the price of electricity.

Debts are accumulating, and the responsibility for this, he said, lies with everyone – both EP and the mines.

“We are determined that this can no longer continue. Mines must pay taxes and contributions,” said Andelija.

He added that their position is that salaries should be paid according to and only as much as is earned. He emphasized that they have a problem with production workers because there is a shortage of them. Many have left Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that these workers' salaries will not be reduced by a single mark. On the other hand, administrative workers do not want to move, as he says, and plan to stay there until the mines collapse.