Offshore Wind Among Plans for Ukraine’s Post-War Reconstruction

The European and Ukrainian solar and wind associations have called on the leaders from both Ukraine and the EU to embrace renewables – including solar and onshore and offshore wind – and renewable hydrogen in the country’s post-war reconstruction.

The associations today (4 July) released a joint statement calling on Ukrainian and the EU leaders to set a target of at least 50 per cent renewables in Ukraine’s electricity mix by 2030 and for a dedicated “Renewables for Ukraine” vehicle as part of the joint Strategic Reconstruction Plan and the Ukraine reconstruction platform.

The target is recommended to be achieved through a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted solar, as well as onshore and offshore wind.

Renewables should be at the core of the joint Strategic Reconstruction Plan and the Ukraine, WindEurope said in a press release, adding that renewables are essential to the energy independence, prosperity, employment and peace of post-war Ukraine.

The joint industry statement was released at a hybrid event hosted by WindEurope, SolarPower Europe, the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) and the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine (ASEU), where the EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson reinforced the EU’s determination to support Ukraine – both throughout the ongoing war and in the following period of reconstruction.

With REPowerEU, the European Commission plans to put an end to the import of fossil fuel from Russia by 2027. In the meantime, the EU is diversifying its energy supply, ramping up the expansion of renewables and boosting energy efficiency.

On the renewables being a significant part of Ukraine’s recovery, Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, said: “Living through the 8 years of Russian hybrid war has taught me two things. The first is that Ukraine will never be safe until we have energy independence, and the second is that energy security can never come from fossil fuels. Ukraine’s post-war recovery should be based on renewable energy. 50% share of renewables in electricity generation by 2030 is realistic and feasible target for my country”, said

“Renewables should be at the core of rebuilding a climate neutral, prosperous and energy independent Ukraine. Had we all invested earlier and more decisively in renewable energy, we would not find ourselves dependent on unreliable fossil fuel importers today”, said Malgosia Bartosik, WindEurope Deputy CEO.

“Wind was already powering Ukrainian homes and companies before the war. The European wind industry stands ready to support the Ukrainian post-war recovery and strengthen its energy security with affordable and scalable technology, while creating new jobs, supporting local communities and revitalising the Ukrainian economy”.

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