As Ukraine braces for another challenging winter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced significant aid to bolster the country's energy infrastructure. Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, von der Leyen pledged an additional €160 million to support Ukraine's energy needs.
This aid includes €100 million for the repair of power plants and €60 million for heating and other equipment for displaced persons. The funding will also tap into frozen Russian assets to address 15% of Ukraine's energy requirements and support a $50 billion loan for the country.
Since the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has lost two-thirds of its pre-war electricity generation capacity, with 80% of thermal plants and 33% of hydropower capacity destroyed. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has emphasized the urgency of this winter, describing it as the hardest test for Ukraine's energy system.
Efforts to repair and build energy infrastructure, protect current installations, and hasten the delivery of spare parts are critical. The EU has already provided over €2 billion in energy security aid since the invasion.
Moreover, the IEA calls for further investments in renewable energy to restore 4.5 GW of capacity, addressing a significant portion of Ukraine's energy deficit. Beyond energy support, von der Leyen also highlighted broader EU assistance, including military aid and humanitarian support, underscoring the EU's commitment to Ukraine's resilience and recovery.
