KYIV, Aug 4 – Centrenergo, a major Ukrainian power generating company, on Thursday defended the high price of coal that is to be imported from the U.S. by saying it has a better quality than from other markets.

The response comes after industry analysts argued that the price of $113 per ton was higher than $102.68/mt that was recently quoted at NYMEX in New York.

The company said transportation costs to Pivdenniy port near Odessa in the Black Sea will increase the price.