Since the beginning of coal distribution with the participation of local governments, around 1.5 million tonnes of the raw material have been distributed to households including more than 870,000 tonnes last year and already more than 550,000 tonnes since 1 January this year. In some municipalities, orders from 2022 are still being fulfilled. “However, this is due to the will of municipalities that did not want to receive coal at an earlier date”, reports the Ministry of State Assets (MAP).
“The distribution system that we set up in the emergency situation proved to be effective. And after small adjustments, it has become tailored to the needs of municipalities and residents. There is no shortage of coal in the municipalities and the delivery of coal in batches rather than whole orders has worked well”, said Deputy Minister Karol Rabenda during a conference at MAP.
The deputy minister pointed out that according to the law, the end of the heating season was set for 30 April. This does not mean, however, that coal that arrives in municipalities cannot be sold to residents after this date. However, it must be ordered in advance, and the sale itself can take place later.
“We are in the final stages of signing new contracts for the second heating period. By the end of April, this demand amounts to 1 million 700 thousand tonnes. We are prepared for this”, announced the deputy head of MAP.
Rabenda emphasised the great role of state-owned companies in the distribution of coal for households. After the introduction of the embargo on coal from the East, private entities, which so far distributed coal, were not able to quickly switch and cope with this task, as the scale of the undertaking was too large.
“We already have a proven emergency system. Should there be a price problem in future seasons, we are ready to start it up again. However, if there is no such need, it should be secured by the market”, said the Deputy Minister. Karol Rabenda stressed that the currently developed mechanisms will remain “on standby”.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński