KIEV, May 29 - Ukraine will scrap its earlier plans to build coal-to-gas plants in the country because these projects are likely to be unprofitable, first deputy energy and coal industry minister Yuriy Ziukov said Thursday.

The projects were supposed to be financed with a $3.66 billion loan from a Chinese bank and built by a Chinese chemical and engineering company.

“I believe that today we do not have technology that could be applied here and make sure the money is working effectively,” Ziukov told reporters.