EU preparing energy plan for Ukraine: How it will work and how much funding envisaged
Photo: Marta Kos (Getty Images)
The European Commission is developing a special Energy Action Plan for Ukraine and is calling on EU countries to provide additional air defense systems free of charge. The plan is expected to be implemented by next winter, as announced by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
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EU urges urgent strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense
According to Kos, effective protection of Ukraine’s energy system is impossible without reinforcing air defense.
She stressed that the EU was calling on member states to act without delay, including by drawing on national stockpiles, and noted that Commissioner Kubilius was working with the European defense industry to remove production “bottlenecks” and speed up deliveries.
Action plan by next winter
Kos said there is currently an idea to create an Energy Action Plan that would need to be implemented by next winter. It would envisage both the protection of energy infrastructure and the implementation of structural reforms.
She said that the goal is clear — the full integration of Ukraine into the European energy market through market coupling, support in the accession process, and regulatory alignment.
New funding and support in 2026
Kos said that support for Ukraine would continue in 2026, with initial funding of €153 million planned, of which €145 million is earmarked for Ukraine.
Overall, since 2022, the European Union has already provided more than €3 billion in assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector. Separately, nearly €1 billion has been mobilized for emergency gas purchases.
Equipment, generators, and electricity exports
Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Ukraine has received:
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More than 11,000 generators;
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Over 7,000 transformers;
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Six autotransformers;
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Hundreds of other pieces of energy equipment.
In addition, the EU has increased electricity export capacity to Ukraine to 2.45 GW, helping stabilize the energy system after massive attacks.
Energy emergency
On January 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the introduction of an energy emergency regime in certain regions due to the severe impact of Russian attacks and difficult weather conditions.
On the night of February 7, Russia carried out another combined attack on Ukraine, using strategic aviation, cruise missiles, and attack drones. Destruction and injuries were reported in several regions, along with large-scale emergency power outages.
The Ministry of Energy said that due to damage to energy infrastructure, Ukraine had requested emergency assistance from Poland.
