Brussels announces readiness to increase electricity supplies to Ukraine
The European Commission is working to increase the maximum volume of electricity supply to Ukraine. Support needs to be ramped up as a difficult winter approaches, according to Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.
"We work with ENTSO-E to increase the maximum capacity for electricity exports to Ukraine," she said.
According to Simson, due to Russia's constant attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine has lost nearly half of its electricity generation capacity. "People will be in the cold and dark in the coming months if we do not step up our support," the Commissioner warned.
Simson said that the EU has already provided significant support, focusing on repairs, the distribution of generators, and increasing electricity imports from the EU.
Through the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, the Energy Community, the European Commission, member states, and other donors have mobilized around €510 million for the repair of damaged facilities, decentralized gas and renewable energy production, and backup power supplies for civilian infrastructure.
"All these efforts must be stepped up as the winter is approaching, to avoid the worst," she added.
As RBC-Ukraine previously reported, a decision on increasing the import limit for electricity from the EU is expected in September. Ukraine is seeking to raise the limit to at least 2.2 GW from the current import cap of 1.7 GW.