OREANDA-NEWS. October 19, 2012. In 2013, the Government will continue to modernize energy sector on the principles of energy independence. This was stressed by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov during a meeting of the Government.

Among the priority projects Mykola Azarov noted: the construction third and fourth units at the Khmelnitsk NPP; the construction of a factory to produce nuclear fuel, hydroelectric generating sets of the Dniester hydro-electric power station and modernization of other hydro-electric power stations; the construction of main transmission lines in many Regions of Ukraine, the increasing domestic production of energy; the implementation of national project "LNG terminal"; a significant increase in exploration and development drilling in the Black and Azov seas; an acceleration of geological explorations on shale gas; production of hydrocarbons abroad; the substitution of imported natural gas with coal; reconstruction, modernization and reconstruction of oil refining industry.

According to the Prime Minister, through the implementation of mentioned tasks for 2013-2015 years annual gas production will be increased to more than 21 billion cubic meters and oil with gas condensate - up to 3 million tons (by 17 and 8 percent more than in 2011 year).

"An effective alternative to traditional natural gas can be the use of gas (methane) of coal deposits", says Mykola Azarov. He added that according to estimates, commercial development of coal deposits can give a real gas production to 3-5 billion cubic meters in next 3-5 years. "Work in this direction have to be activated already in 2013 year, because we already have experience in this area", says the Prime Minister.