Big investments in reconstruction of energy infrastructure will not be possible unless we do away with discrimination of RES in the Ukrainian market

For the EU and UK, an important indicator of Ukraine's investment attractiveness is presented by the Government’s attitude to investors working in the RES sector. Unfortunately, we have big problems with it now. No international forums can raise funds if the intentions are not backed with reality.

90% of wind generation in the occupied territories has been captured or destroyed, the Ministry of Energy says. This clearly affects the country's energy security, as wind power plants (WPPs) are rightfully considered more productive and predictable than solar (SPPs). By the way, many of them were left in the occupied territories, too.

At the same time, in the territories controlled by Ukraine, not everything is smooth at RES enterprises, although here, the Ministry is in command. Since March, green solar and wind power plants have been getting only 15-16% of revenues for the generated electricity.

This is not enough to cover the companies’ operating costs, let lone interest payments and the principal debt. I have already described the possibilities and ways of overcoming the financial crisis in RES. In short, resources for this are available, and they should be distributed fairly.

Some improvement is expected from the Ministerial Order No. 206, which will be published in the coming days, supposed to increase payments. According to some estimates, payments may cover only up to 35% for all generation types. As you understand, this is still too little for creditors and investors who raised funds and financed renewable energy projects in Ukraine.

Such a level of payouts does not demonstrate to investors the ability of the industry to survive and function normally, to play a key role in the country's energy security during the post-war recovery, because without funds, the goal set by the Ministry — to build more than 7 GW of renewable energy capacities — is unattainable. As well as raising 130 billion dollars, according to the plan announced at the forum in Lugano, for the National Program "Energy Independence and Green Course".


https://razumkov.org.ua/komentari/zaluchennia-masshtabnykh-investytsii-v-rekonstruktsiiu-energetychnoi-infrastruktury-bude-nemozhlyvym-bez-podolannia-dyskryminatsii-vde-na-rynku-ukrainy

Volodymyr Omelchenko

Director, Energy Programmes


Born in 1967 in Kyiv

Education: Kyiv Politechnic Institute, Department of Chemical Engineering (1992)

Author of over 50 scientific works and op-ed publications. Took part in development and implementation of international energy projects and scientific research in international energy policy

Employment:

1992 – 1996 — worked in different positions in the mechanical engineering industry

1997 – 1998 — Head Expert of the Division of Oil, Gas and Petroleum Refining Industry of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine

1998 – 2003 — Naftohaz Ukrayiny National Joint-Stock Company, in Charge of Oil Transportation Section

2004 – 2007 — Chief Consultant at the National Institute of International Security Problems of Ukraine’s NSDC

since February, 2007 — Leading Expert, Razumkov Centre. Director of Energy Programmes since 2013

(044) 206-85-02

omelchenko@razumkov.org.ua

volodymyr.omelchenko