KIEV, Sept. 19 - Ukraine’s coal reserves at fossil-fuel burning power plants decreased by 2.3% over the past week to about 1.999 million metric tons as of September 15, compared with 2.047 million mt as of September 8, UkrEnergo, a company that runs the country’s power grid, said Friday.

As of September 1, Ukrainian coal reserves were at the level of 2.138 million mt, down 54.3% from 4.676 million mt as of September 1, 2013.

Ukraine ’s power plants need to store at least 4.5 million mt of coal by October 15 for safe and steady power and heat production during the upcoming high demand season.