European Commission Identifies Six Key Areas of Support for Ukraine's Energy Sector
European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, is urging the international community to step up efforts to support Ukraine's energy sector ahead of the winter season to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. Simson outlined these concerns in a column for the Financial Times.
“To prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine, we need to intensify our unprecedented efforts in logistics and aid. I am calling for action in six key areas,” she stated.
These key areas of support for Ukraine's energy sector include:
Repairing damaged energy facilities;
Delivering as many small, decentralised generators to Ukraine as possible;
Deploying solar panels to supply electricity to hospitals, schools, community, and residential buildings;
Expanding the maximum volume of electricity that can be exported to Ukraine from other European countries;
Enhancing cross-border grid interconnection capabilities;
Strengthening air defence around critical energy infrastructure.
The Commissioner highlighted that Russia has destroyed or seized around 9 GW of Ukraine’s generation capacity—half of the electricity Ukraine needs during the winter.
“The warmer months mask the worst consequences. The lack of electricity means no access to basic services: water pumps and sewage networks will not operate, and heating will be turned off. In freezing winter temperatures, some areas in Ukraine could become simply uninhabitable,” the EU official warned.
She noted that the EU and other partners of Ukraine are doing everything possible to support the recovery of Ukraine's energy sector, but much more needs to be done.
“To prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine, we must intensify unprecedented efforts in logistics and aid right now,” Simson wrote.
“Coordinated and targeted efforts can significantly reduce this gap… Today, unprecedented solidarity and generosity are needed. Ukraine must not be left alone as it prepares for its most challenging winter,” Simson emphasised.