Ukrainian energy system is to be integrated into the ENTSO-E continental European energy network as soon as possible.
This position was supported by the Ministers of Energy of the European Union at the extraordinary meeting of the EU Energy Council, the press service of Ukrenergo reported.
EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said that the synchronization of Ukraine's energy system with the energy network of continental Europe is a "strategic initiative to increase energy independence." She also expressed support for the accelerated synchronization process requested by Ukraine, and said that the EU Council also supported the decision.
Thus, the EU will continue to cooperate with ENTSO-E in order to connect Ukrainian energy system to the European one as soon as possible.
Ukraine has already proven that it is able to manage the energy system during Russia's military aggression and information attacks and support its stable functioning. "Today the transmission system operator NPC Ukrenergo and other Ukrainian energy companies are doing their best to ensure that the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense Units and civilians have a sustainable energy supply under all circumstances," Ukrenergo said.
However, the company noted that if Russia continues to violate international law during the war and launch an armed strike on Ukraine's energy system, we will need support from European partners and Europe as a whole. This support will preserve the sustainable energy supply of military infrastructure, which will help the Armed Forces and Ukrainian hospitals. This will avoid a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe and not leave Ukrainian cities without light, water and heat.
Ukraine's accession to the ENTSO-E grid will become a historical decision and an evidence that Ukraine is an integral part of the European space. Europe's energy system will extend from Mariupol to Lisbon. Ukrenergo and the entire energy sector have been preparing for this decision for six years. We have invested over 700 million euros in the development of electricity infrastructure, strengthened cyber protection of energy facilities, and fulfilled all key technical conditions for our integration into ENTSO-E, ”said Volodymyr Kudrytskyy, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo.
He added that integration into the European grid will not only help Ukraine during the war, but will also be the best solution for the future.
Let us remind you that last year the Ministry of Energy declared that in 2022 Ukrainian power system will separate from power systems of Russia and Belarus. After that, in 2023, there will be a full synchronization with the European network.
Ukraine signed the terms for joining the European energy system in June 2017.