Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Roman Andarak discussed priorities for assistance to the Ukrainian energy sector with Armel Castets, Deputy Director for International Business Financing and Foreign Trade Support at the French Treasury.
These priorities include equipment for repairs, gas turbines and gas piston plants to increase the capacity of distributed generation, as well as powerful generators to provide backup power to critical infrastructure.
The parties also discussed cooperation under the grant agreement signed in Paris in early June between the governments of France and Ukraine to provide EUR 200 million for the restoration and reconstruction of critical infrastructure.
Among the priority projects are cooperation projects on the development of energy storage systems, reconstruction and modernization of substations, and the development of smart grids. Ukrainian and French companies have already started implementing 14 projects in the respective areas.
“Despite the ongoing hostile attacks on our energy infrastructure facilities, we are actively preparing for the autumn and winter period. The priority areas include repairs, development of distributed and backup generation, and strengthening the protection of power facilities. The projects we are launching now lay the foundations for long-term mutually beneficial cooperation between Ukrainian and French companies,” said Roman Andarak.
Ukraine has already received 37 shipments of humanitarian aid from France, including energy equipment weighing 313 tonnes.
The French side has expressed its readiness to respond promptly to Ukraine's requests by providing the necessary equipment and financial support.