Supporting the energy sector and strengthening energy system resilience: German Galushchenko meets with European Commissioner Kadri Simson

Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko held a bilateral meeting with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The parties met in Brussels as part of the EU energy ministers’ meeting.

The Minister of Energy briefed the European Commissioner on the consequences of recent russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.

“Thermal and hydropower generation, as well as electricity transmission system facilities, suffered the greatest losses. The most difficult situation remains with the power supply in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region, which are located in close proximity to the russian border and are subject to regular shelling with all types of weapons,” he said.

According to German Galushchenko, it is necessary to increase the capacity of manoeuvring generation and carry out decentralisation efforts to get through the next winter. In this context, the parties discussed the needs of Ukrainian power sector for the necessary equipment.

Kadri Simson supported the position of the Ukrainian side on the need for an ENTSO-E solution to increase the capacity of cross-border interconnectors for importing electricity to Ukraine from European countries. The European Commissioner also emphasised the importance of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund for the procurement of equipment needed to restore and strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system.

While discussing preparations for the next heating season, the parties underscored the expiration of the contract for the transportation of russian gas this year.

The Minister spoke about russian attacks on gas infrastructure and stressed the importance of Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities for European energy security.

In this context, German Galushchenko pointed out the possibility of using the air defence systems of neighbouring countries to protect important energy facilities, including those essential for the security of the European supply chain.

The parties paid special attention to the situation at the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and nuclear safety issues.