Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Poland Granted Electricity Exports to Ukrainian Winter Industrial Needs

The Ukrainian government has secured the option for industrial consumers to import electricity during winter from four neighbouring European countries.

First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, announced this development, stating that it would enable enterprises to operate stably in case of a deficit in generating capacities in the energy system. The permitted import volume from Europe is set at 1700 MW for Ukraine and Moldova.

"With the risk of ongoing energy terror from Russia this winter, the aggressor will again attempt to strike, destroying energy infrastructure. To assist domestic businesses in working steadily amid electricity shortages, the government has ensured the ability to import from neighbouring countries—Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Poland," noted Yulia Svyrydenko.

Enterprises importing electricity will not be subject to restrictions on energy supply if imposed to overcome electricity shortages. Only special emergency shutdown schedules, aimed at preventing a systemic crisis in the integrated energy system, may be applied.

The option to import electricity is exclusively available to non-residential consumers. The required import volume to avoid disruptions should constitute 50% of actual consumption in each settlement period (hour) from October to April and 30% respectively from May to September.

Recently, operators of continental European energy systems (ENTSO-E) declared the successful completion of synchronization with the Ukrainian "Ukrenergo" and a significant increase in export capacities from continental Europe to Ukraine. This marks Ukraine's transition from a temporary regime to permanent synchronization.

In addition to the permanent synchronization, ENTSO-E decided to raise the power trading limit between Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova to 1700 MW, surpassing the previous limit by 500 MW.

Furthermore, it was previously reported that European countries are refraining from using Russian gas due to the war in Ukraine. Private households and companies are increasingly adopting energy-efficient technologies and heat pumps.

In the first three quarters of this year, European households and businesses reduced gas demand by 9%, suggesting the formation of a sustainable trend in the coming years.