First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal took part in the fifth Ministerial Meeting of the G7+ Coordination Group on Ukraine’s Energy Sector, held in Paris.
“We are grateful to French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure and European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen for organising the ‘Energy Ramstein’,” Denys Shmyhal noted.
The Minister of Energy briefed partners on the Russian plans to attack energy infrastructure, as reported by Ukrainian intelligence. He stressed that Ukraine understands the enemy’s intentions and is working to counter them.
In particular, work is being carried out in the following areas:
- Protection. Air defence is being strengthened. Ukraine needs support from its partners in this area — missiles for air defence systems are urgently needed. The engineering protection of energy facilities is also being strengthened.
- Restoration and reserves. Overall, more than 10 GW of capacity is planned to be restored and built this year. The experience of last winter demonstrated how quickly equipment reserves are depleted during mass attacks. Therefore, reserves are being formed in advance.
- Reforms. Alongside preparations for winter, Ukraine continues to modernise its energy system and integrate it into the European energy space. Work is under way to build a more decentralised, protected and flexible system. Reforms concerning the independence of the regulator, the balancing market, TEN-E and nuclear safety are also continuing.
- Financial resources. Since July this year alone, more than €218 million has been contributed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Another approximately €307 million in support has been announced. At the same time, needs remain significant. At least another €400 million needs to be raised by the end of the year.
“We thank all partners for their support in strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience. We count on further assistance,” Denys Shmyhal emphasised.
