Forum 1b: Reconstruction and energy security
Olaksandra Azarkhina, Maria Repko, Torsten Wöllert, Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka, Artem Nekrasov and Rebecca Harms discussed how Ukrainian society is preparing for the next winter, what support Ukraine needs and whether a green transformation is possible despite the war.
The destruction of energy infrastructure is part of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Last winter, around 50 per cent of Ukraine’s energy system was damaged by targeted Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. The consequences of this are still being felt. According to estimates by experts and government representatives, the energy supply this autumn/winter could be even more difficult than last year. The Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure were renewed in September and more are feared.
How is Ukrainian society preparing for the coming winter?
The entire energy sector faces a number of specific challenges: from strengthening resilience and energy security (including physical security) in the short term to implementing a green energy transition as part of Ukraine’s European integration.
How is Ukrainian society preparing for the next winter? What support does Ukraine need? And is a green transformation possible despite the war? Maria Repko, Deputy Managing Director of the Center for Economic Strategy, Torsten Wöllert, Minister Counsellor — Energy of the EU Delegation to Ukraine from the EEAS, Artem Nekrasov, Managing Director of the Ukrainian state-owned company “Guaranteed Buyer”, Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka, Head of the Ukraine Staff at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and moderator Rebecca Harms, Senior Advisor at Zentrum Liberale Moderne, discussed these issues.
“Ukrainian communities show extraordinary resilience against Russian attacks” (Oleksandra Azarkhina)
In her welcoming address, Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister for the Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, emphasised that Ukrainian communities have shown extraordinary resilience against Russian attacks. To support the municipalities, the ministry has launched a programme for energy sustainability in the municipalities. The aim is not only to ensure the supply of heat and electricity, but also to achieve extensive decarbonisation of the energy sector in the municipalities through the decentralisation of energy production, the development of renewable sources of energy and the introduction of modern technologies.
Mental revolution in terms of energy supply and consumption
During the discussion, it became clear that the destruction of the old Soviet system by Russia has triggered a fundamental rethink of energy supplies and consumption. There is a growing realisation in Ukrainian society that the energy sector cannot be run according to the rules of the Soviet era. Resilience can be achieved by introducing new technologies, but also by changing attitudes. And the attitude of the Ukrainians is: “We will not give up!”
Decentralisation is key to Ukraine’s energy transition and energy security. The municipalities are interested in sustainable, climate-friendly solutions for energy supply. At the same time, social support is needed to combat energy poverty and support the transformation.
Top priority: air defence and protection of the energy infrastructure
Another important factor for the orientation of the Ukrainian energy system towards decarbonisation is European integration and the focus on exports to the EU. Even before the Russian attack in February 2022, Ukraine’s energy system was synchronised with that of the EU. In part, these and other energy integration efforts have contributed to strengthening the resilience of Ukraine’s energy system.
And while we can and should talk about the future of energy in Ukraine even during the war, air defence and energy infrastructure protection naturally remain the top priorities when it comes to immediate energy security in the here and now.
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