Norway to Provide Additional €90 Million for Gas to Ukraine
Norway will provide an additional NOK 1 billion (over EUR 88 million) to finance gas imports to Ukraine to ensure adequate supplies for households, businesses and industry in the country, the Norwegian government said in a statement.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that a more secure energy supply plays a key role in strengthening Ukraine's resilience. According to him, this issue was one of the topics of discussion during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent visit to Norway.
He stressed the need for additional funding for gas imports, which will provide electricity and heating to homes, businesses and government agencies. ‘Norway is making its contribution to meeting this need,’ the Prime Minister said.
The new financing will reportedly be provided through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and will be used to purchase gas from Western sources. The recipient of the fuel will be the Ukrainian state-owned company Naftogaz. The imported gas will help cover consumer needs and increase reserves in case of new Russian attacks on gas infrastructure.
This financing is provided under the Nansen for Ukraine programme, and NOK 1 billion is allocated from the funds earmarked for support to Ukraine's energy sector in 2025.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed that stable access to electricity is critical for the safety of Ukrainians and the functioning of society. ‘The attacks on Ukraine's energy supply... are part of an attempt to weaken the Ukrainian economy and undermine the trust of the Ukrainian people in their government. That is why it is crucial and strategically important to help maintain access to gas,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Naftogaz Group announced that it has received 16 gas compressor units from the Norwegian government in partnership with UNDP. The total capacity of the equipment exceeds 150 MW, which will provide heat and electricity to more than 500,000 residents of Dnipropetrovs'k region.
Ukrgasvydobuvannya also received equipment to enhance gas production.
In addition, on 26 March, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved a loan of up to €270 million for Naftogaz of Ukraine to purchase gas for the next two heating seasons.
As The Gaze reported, in October 2024, Norway, along with Germany and the United States, provided NOK 1.4 billion to enable Romania to send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine.