Coal in energy balance of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

In the article, the role of coal in the energy balance of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is assessed by factoring in significant coal reserves, including low-quality and local coal in hard-to-reach areas. The research was carried out using system analysis methods. To this end, the retrospective dynamics of production and consumption of fuel and energy resources in retrospect and estimates were considered. The estimates were obtained by analysing reference documents, available resources for coal mining and the calculations performed by the authors. The production and consumption of fuel and energy resources of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) were analysed. It was shown that coal comprises one of the main resources for power and heat generation, along with gas and water resources. Its share in the consumption of primary fuel and energy resources in 2020 amounted to 34.6%. According to the calculation results, the coal production in the Republic in the future may reach 43 million tons, which will lead to the stabilisation of the export supply of coal and the demand for fuel at power plants and boiler houses in the Republic and neighbouring regions. Projects for developing the coal-fired power industry in the Republic rely on the consumption of coal from the South Yakut coal basin. In the optimal forecast balances, the share of coal generally remaining unchanged may range from 37.8 to 38.7% by 2035. It was established that the potential for coal consumption may increase from 3.5 million tons of coil, equivalent in 2020 to 4.1–4.8 million tons of coil equivalent per year. Mining opportunities significantly exceed their demand, both at present and in the future. A system analysis of the obtained results allowed the main factors affecting coal consumption in the long term to be identified. Coal mined in the South Yakut basin comprises a reliable fuel source in the zone of centralised energy supply in the future. In areas of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) having underdeveloped infrastructure and low population density, coal from local deposits becomes an alternative to imported fuel if their development is economically and socially justified.

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