26 April 2023, Rome / For immediate release
At the bilateral conference on Ukraine reconstruction in Rome Svitlana Romanko discussed with Ukrainian officials and international experts practical steps to enable deployment of clean energy solutions for reconstruction of Ukraine’s power system, which was heavily damaged by russia. Razom We Stand also addressed these issues in letters sent to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and Minister of Energy Herman Halushenko.
During the panel discussion dedicated to energy and climate issues deputy minister of energy Farid Safarov invited Italian companies to cooperate and cited the example of ENEL, which provided 5,700 solar panels which will be installed at 135 hospitals in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. According to Safarov, the ministry of Energy is actively working to develop commercial electricity flows with the EU and integrate Ukraine with the EU energy market.
Yevhen Fedorenko, deputy minister of environmental protection and natural resources of Ukraine in his address noted that war should not be a reason to decrease Ukraine’s climate goals. “Our ultimate goal should be a safe and clean environment”, - said Fedorenko.
“By boldly implementing modern solutions based on high-efficiency cogeneration, combined with renewable energy sources, Ukraine can effectively restore the lost power generation capacity and enhance its energy security, while also ensuring accelerated integration into the EU and further attracting foreign state and private investments. Over the next five to ten years, this approach can lead to the complete replacement of coal generation, reducing consumption of fossil gas and a comprehensive transformation of the energy system towards renewable energy. Today we delivered respective letters to our political leaders to reinforce the necessary dialogue with the civil society in light of the recent adoption of the new Energy Strategy of Ukraine by 2050 and development of future Action plan for the post-war reconstruction and development of Ukraine for the implementation of the Energy Strategy until 2050 and Ukraine’s National Energy and Climate Plan by 2030”, - said Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of Razom We Stand.
As a result of targeted missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure committed by the russian terrorist state last winter, nearly all thermal power generation facilities have suffered damage. According to industry reports over 3 GW of generating capacity at combined heat and power and thermal power plants have been rendered non-operational, with some power units irreparable.
Razom We Stand has appealed to Oleksandr Kubrakov, who leads the Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, with requests to take in cooperation with other competent authorities and international partners practical steps that are necessary to enable deployment of clean energy solutions in Ukrainian cities. Steps outlined in the letter also address the practicalities necessary for implementation of the government's plans to increase the share of energy production from renewable sources by 2030. The letter particularly emphasized that decentralized electricity production is crucial in the context of terrorist attacks on Ukraine’s power system perpetrated by russia.
“Decentralized solutions based on high-efficiency cogeneration offer several exceptional advantages, as it is quick to deploy and easy to integrate in existing infrastructure. It also provides flexible electricity generation that can balance the irregularities of solar and wind generation, making it a technology of the future. In the long run, investing in highly efficient cogeneration facilities will aid in achieving full climate neutrality, as they can operate using renewable gasses such as biomethane and hydrogen”, - notes Svitlana Romanko.
Prior to the conference in Rome, Razom We Stand was informed that the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Program (UNIDO) has initiated the development of a 5-year Program for the Green Recovery and Development of Ukrainian Industry in the Post-war Period, which will include measures for development of circular economy and environmental protection, decarbonization and sustainable energy.
The bilateral conference in Rome on Ukraine's reconstruction after the Russian invasion has gathered around 700 officials and representatives of business associations and the main international financial institutions. Ukrainian government at the conference was represented by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development Yulia Svyrydenko, Head of the State Property Fund Rusten Umerov and Oleksandr Kubrakov Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine.
Press contact:
Oleg Savytskyi, press@razomwestand.org
Campaign Manager, Razom We Stand
