THE ENERGY FRONT: REPAIRS & RECONSTRUCTING IS 24/7 WORK 

Tangible results in the last year include “The Urgent Technology Catalogue for the Ukrainian Power Sector” guiding assistance during difficult winter period and technical support on energy market integration, district heating and energy efficiency. Going forward, the partners will seek to improve the regulatory framework for power markets and renewable technologies such as wind and biogas. Very important areas for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and to unlock the huge potential for private investments in the energy sector.

The delegation also visited a power plant to gain first hand understanding of the huge damages caused by Russia’s massive missile and drone attacks on the energy sector. It was painfully obvious that air defence is needed to protect such facilities but also inspiring to witness the dedication of the worker doing extensive repairs under very difficult conditions. Welders, power engineers and the plant operators on duty 24/7. Even during air raids.

The visit reaffirmed the need to continue supporting Ukraine’s energy sector with financing to purchase replacement parts such as transformer, generators and switch gears. In this regard the Energy Community’s Ukraine Energy Support Fund is particularly important instrument for donors to provide financial support to the Ukrainian energy sector’s efforts to repair the damages and keep the power system functioning. Denmark has was the first country to allocate funding the Fund that has now mobilised EUR 895 mill.

Finally, the visit put spotlight on the transformation of the Ukrainian power system. Whilst repairs and emergency operation is absolutely needed in the coming winters, there is strong realisation that a decentralised energy system, e.g. using solar and wind power, will be more resilient than the Soviet era huge coal and natural gas powered plants. In this regard, Denmark has decades worth of experience that we will share with our Ukrainian partners. But at the power plant - amid rubbles and missile fragments - the delegation also discussed fuel switching to solid biomass. In other words a better, more resilient and greener power system. Fully integrated in the EU. That’s our common goal.