KIEV, Jan. 16 - Ukraine will boost output of coal this year in order to reduce dependence on imports of Russian natural gas, the government said in a statement Monday citing Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boyko.

Ukraine will increase production of coal to 84 million metric tons in 2012, up from 82 million metric tons produced in 2011, Boyko said, adding the government has authorized a major upgrade of fossil fuel burning power plants towards to replace gas with coal as source of energy.