The European Commission on Monday offered a new support package to Ukraine to secure its energy system and enable its full integration into the European energy market, the EU Executive said in a statement, according to Agerpres.
This package will allow for the full coupling of Ukraine’s electricity market with the EU by early 2027, together with Moldova, as well as better integration into the EU’s natural gas sector, provided that Ukraine significantly accelerates the necessary market reforms. It will also increase security of supply in Ukraine and the wider region, as the Commission will provide assistance with the necessary gas purchases. Crucially, by massively accelerating domestic renewable energy production, this package will increase the overall resilience of Ukraine’s energy system.
Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure has been the target of relentless Russian attacks over the past three years, with half of the country’s energy infrastructure destroyed. Only a fully independent energy system can protect Ukraine from current attacks and future pressures. Ukraine’s full integration into the EU energy market will act as part of the overall security guarantees that the EU can offer, as well as an effective precondition for reconstruction, as energy security is essential to allow investment to flow throughout the country.
“For three years, Russia has tried to throw Ukraine into the dark, relentlessly targeting its energy infrastructure. This must stop once and for all. With the package we are presenting today, Europe will ensure that Ukraine has a resilient, secure and competitive energy system. More renewable energy and the full integration of energy markets will bring greater energy security to both Ukraine and the European Union,” said EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
The package will facilitate the integration of the electricity market with the EU by spring 2027, together with Moldova, as well as better integration into the EU gas sector. This will be possible if Ukraine accelerates the implementation of existing commitments under the Roadmap for Ukraine and the Energy Community in terms of legal, regulatory and public service obligations frameworks. This includes the establishment of a support mechanism for vulnerable households.
The Commission will contribute to financing gas purchases, in particular through the Facility for Ukraine, together with its implementing partners. This will result in ample gas reserves to ensure security of supply, for the benefit of both Ukraine and the entire region.
The package will accelerate investments in renewable energy, totaling up to 1.5 GW of generation capacity. This represents an increase of around 25% in the total renewable energy generation capacity in Ukraine. The support will be channeled from the Facility for Ukraine.
These new measures will build on the more than €2 billion of EU support provided over the past three years to enhance the resilience of Ukraine’s energy system and ensure access to energy for citizens. The support has been provided mainly through the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as through humanitarian aid and proceeds from Russia’s frozen assets.
The Commission and Ukraine have also agreed on a roadmap for enhanced cooperation on renewable gas. By providing alternative and cleaner sources of supply, this will strengthen energy security in the EU and Ukraine, while supporting the development and investment in Ukraine’s renewable gas sector. The Commission is stepping up support for Ukraine’s energy security and paving the way for full market integration.