The “Ukraine Reimagined: Investing in Renewables and Storage” conference was held in Berlin, organized by the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency (EUEA) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the German-Ukrainian Energy Partnership. This event, part of the 16th European-Ukrainian Energy Day, convened over 100 participants and featured 40 speakers from Ukrainian and European businesses, governments, international financial institutions, and the EU.
Key discussions at the conference focused on critical issues shaping Ukraine’s energy future, including regulatory stability and full integration into the European electricity market. Despite facing significant capacity losses due to ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s power system has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Ukrenergo representatives shared optimistic projections, noting that:
- Despite four years of war and a 54% reduction in power generation capacity, Ukraine has added 1.3 GW of renewable capacity between 2022 and 2025, increasing green and hydro power’s share to about 20% of the energy mix—higher than pre-war levels.
- Looking ahead to 2030, Ukraine plans to expand its energy infrastructure with approximately 1.4 GW of gas-fired, 0.4 GW of thermal, 3.4 GW of wind, 3.1 GW of solar, and up to 2 GW of storage capacity, requiring an estimated €8 billion in investments.
- Ukraine is committed to building a decentralized, flexible, and carbon-free power system, emphasizing renewables and market integration with Europe.
Economist Georg Zachmann underscored the importance of stable market conditions for attracting private investments, stating, “Market integration is key for Ukraine’s energy stability. Full integration into the European electricity market by 2030, including carbon pricing and the removal of price caps, is essential to unlock trade potential and foster investor confidence.”
The conference also highlighted efforts to attract private investment through corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Notus Energy is advancing Ukraine’s first corporate PPA project, while Goldbeck Solar, supported by the German government, has commenced construction of a solar power plant with storage in Central Ukraine. These initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of corporate PPAs and intergovernmental support in mobilizing private capital for renewable projects.
Energy storage was another central theme, with Ukraine actively deploying new systems to enhance grid stability and renewable integration. Ukrenergo’s auctions from August 2024 to May 2025 procured 788 MW of capacity for system balancing. DTEK RENEWABLES, in partnership with Fluence, constructed a 200 MW energy storage system in record time to support Ukraine’s evolving grid.
A significant announcement was the launch of the Ukraine Renewable Energy Risk Integration Mechanism (URMM), developed by the EBRD and the EU. The mechanism aims to boost investor confidence, stabilize revenues, and unlock up to €1.5 billion in EU funding for approximately 1 GW of wind and solar projects with storage. With seed capital of €180 million and plans for up to €300 million in total funding, URMM seeks to address the sector’s core challenge—electricity offtake—and promote broader investment in Ukraine’s clean energy future.
The conference also featured discussions on Ukraine’s biomethane sector’s potential as a vital component of the EU energy transition. Notable insights included:
- Adomas Audickas highlighted Ukraine’s biomethane as a strategic import alternative for Germany, which is no longer importing Russian gas.
- Dirk Buschle addressed legal uncertainties surrounding biomethane imports into Germany, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity to facilitate Ukrainian biomethane exports.
A milestone was marked by the signing of a Mandate Letter between the EBRD, ReAgro, and the Globino Group, positioning the EBRD as the lead arranger for long-term financing of two biomethane projects in the Poltava region, with a combined capacity of approximately 10 million m³ per year (around 100 GWh). Supported by the UK’s InnovateUkraine Competition, these projects represent a significant step toward Ukraine’s green energy ambitions.
Ukraine continues to forge a path toward a green, decentralized, and integrated energy system that enhances energy security, positions the country as a reliable EU partner, and attracts international investment. Despite the ongoing conflict, the renewable energy sector is experiencing growth, driven by new financial instruments, corporate PPAs, energy storage solutions, biomethane initiatives, and international cooperation—laying the foundation for Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and future.
Frimu Ghinea
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