Ukraine needs to raise an additional €450m for the Energy Support Fund, and a further €500m is required to repair the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal reported this after a meeting with ambassadors from the G7 countries, the European Union and the NB8.
According to him, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but the country has prepared for intensified shelling.
In particular, 235 second-tier protective structures shield key energy facilities. Over the past six months, only one case has been recorded of a ballistic missile striking a facility that was under such protection.
About 20,000 specialists have been involved in restoration work. Communities have received more than 8,000 tonnes of equipment from the hubs. This, Shmyhal said, makes it possible to restore damaged facilities in days rather than months.
“Almost €800m has been paid into Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund since the start of the year. We are grateful for this assistance. At the same time, we still need a further €450m, including €100m for cables. Another €500m is needed to repair the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone. We are counting on support in securing the relevant funding,” the minister said.
During the meeting, the minister also briefed diplomats on reforms in the energy sector.
Ukraine is updating the governing bodies of state-owned energy companies in line with the principles of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), modernising legislation for integration with the EU, and developing renewable and decentralised generation.
In addition, Ukraine has begun the process of joining the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. This is one of the steps on the path towards full membership of the Organisation.
Shmyhal thanked partners for supporting Ukraine and expressed hope for further assistance to strengthen the country’s energy resilience ahead of winter.