The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Delegation of the European Union, led by Jocelin Cornet, Head of Section for Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment, discussed strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience, preparations for the 2025-2026 heating season, and the implementation of European legislation in the energy sector. The meeting was attended by First Deputy Minister of Energy Artem Nekrasov, Deputy Minister for European Integration Olha Yukhymchuk, Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization Roman Andarak, and Deputy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk.
The participants discussed the issue of debts in the electricity market, particularly concerning renewable energy generation, and possible solutions. The First Deputy Minister of Energy provided an update on pending legislative initiatives in Parliament and other measures in this direction.
“We are working on a new financial mechanism that will allow us to settle not only debts to renewable generation but also arrears in the balancing market. We are engaging all market participants, including the regulator, and considering options for international financing. This is critical to launching new projects, particularly in distributed generation, which require a transparent and stable financial model,” Artem Nekrasov emphasized.
The meeting also addressed legislative initiatives necessary for the further integration of Ukraine’s energy markets with the EU. Representatives of the Ministry of Energy provided an update on progress regarding draft legislation on market coupling as well as the draft law on strengthening guarantees of independence for the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC).
“For Ukraine, it is essential to maintain a close dialogue with our European partners and to receive their professional feedback and expertise. Ukraine's progress in implementing EU energy legislation was recently presented during the official screening process. We are now awaiting the European Commission’s report. We continue our joint work and are synchronizing further actions and efforts in many areas. When forming our negotiating position for talks with the EU, the focus will be not only on legislative harmonization but also on instruments for accelerated integration,” said Deputy Minister Olha Yukhymchuk.
Deputy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk expressed gratitude to the European Commission for its support of Ukraine’s energy sector, in particular for the EU guarantees for a loan of up to €500 million for Naftogaz of Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility.
The participants paid special attention to the development of cooperation in the biomethane sector.
“Ukraine has carried out its first biomethane export to the EU. We currently have 11 potential producers, three of whom are already operating their capacities. To attract private investment, it is important to accelerate our connection to the single European database, which will enable the conclusion of long-term contracts,” emphasized Mykola Kolisnyk.
The Deputy Minister informed the EU Delegation on the progress of preparations for the upcoming heating season and measures being taken by energy companies and other agencies.
“Our key priorities in preparing for winter are strengthening the protection of energy infrastructure, accelerating repair campaigns, and securing sufficient energy resources. We are building an emergency reserve of equipment for rapid restoration and conducting joint emergency response drills with the State Emergency Service,” noted Deputy Minister Roman Andarak.
Representatives of the European Delegation reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, both in advancing EU integration reforms and in modernizing and reinforcing the resilience of the energy sector.
