First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal outlined the country’s key priorities in the energy sector for the near future during the Question Hour to the Government at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
“Ukraine has gone through the most difficult winter in its history. Since the beginning of the heating season, Russia has damaged more than 9 GW of generation capacity and dozens of distribution facilities. At present, Ukraine faces six key challenges in the energy sector,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
Among the immediate priorities, he highlighted the uninterrupted supply of fuel to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the spring sowing campaign, businesses, and the retail sector.
“A global fuel crisis is unfolding due to the war in Iran. Our primary task is to ensure the availability of fuel resources. The priorities are the Armed Forces, the sowing campaign, businesses, and retail supply. In March alone, Ukraine has already imported nearly 250,000 tonnes of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied gas. Reserves currently include nearly 100,000 tonnes each of gasoline and diesel,” the Minister noted.
Regarding the situation in the power system, Denys Shmyhal stated that in some regions no outages are being applied at all, while in others one or one-and-a-half outage schedules are in place.
“The deficit during peak consumption is about 1 GW. Nuclear, thermal, and hydropower plants are operating. During peak hours there are no system-wide restrictions across the country. Despite certain improvements in the situation, the heating season is still ongoing, as are the enemy’s continued attempts to destroy our energy system,” he said.
According to the Minister, approximately 3.5 GW of generation capacity at thermal power plants, combined heat and power plants, and hydropower plants has already been partially restored.
“We plan to restore around 4 GW in total. In particular, there is potential to restore more than 2 GW by the end of May. Our engineering delegations are working in the EU to obtain equipment from decommissioned power plants. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, 1.5 GW of distributed generation has been commissioned,” Denys Shmyhal added.
He also drew attention to the security of energy facilities.
“Active protection is provided by air defence systems. We have a successful pilot project involving critical infrastructure enterprises in the air defence system. At the same time, we continue building passive protection systems — shelters for energy facilities. Work on the second level of protection is ongoing at 84 substations and 134 critical elements,” the Minister said.
Regarding the accumulation of resources for the next winter period, the Minister reported that by the end of the current heating season gas storage facilities are expected to contain 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas, with a target of at least 13 billion cubic meters by the start of the next heating season.
Denys Shmyhal also emphasized strengthening cooperation with international partners.
“This year we plan to attract around €5 billion from international partners. Ukraine has proposed a new coordination format — the ‘energy Ramstein’. The next meeting will take place in Brussels as early as next week. We are also working to increase the capacity for electricity imports from Europe. Our goal for the next two years is 3.5 GW and above,” he noted.
