STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF THE ENERGY SYSTEM AND ENHANCING ENERGY SECURITY ARE THE PRIORITIES OF UKRAINE'S COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY
Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Yaroslav Demchenkov met with representatives of the International Energy Agency (IEA) mission and the EU4Energy Ukraine programme. The mission participants included IEA Programme Manager Talia Watman, IEA Head of Renewables and Secure Electricity Integration Pablo Evia-Koch, EU4Energy Programme Coordinator Anna Petrus and others.
The parties discussed ways to deepen cooperation to strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system and energy security in general.
Yaroslav Demchenkov reminded that Ukraine became an associate member of the IEA during the full-scale war with russia. During this time, our country has faced a new reality of modern terrorism - deliberate massive attacks on energy infrastructure - and gained unique experience in how to maintain the system's resilience in these conditions. During its visit to Ukraine, the IEA delegation is studying the relevant experience gained by Ukrainian energy companies and identifying ways to prevent risks to energy systems in the future.
At a meeting with the agency's representatives at the Ministry of Energy, the Deputy Minister emphasized that in order to ensure stable energy supply to consumers during the upcoming winter period, large-scale repairs are underway, physical protection of power facilities is being strengthened, work has begun on decentralising generation, and special attention is being paid to strengthening the resilience and flexibility of the power system.
He also stressed that the Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2050 defines clear priorities in the development of renewable energy sources and the use of innovative technologies in the renewal of the Ukrainian energy sector. In this context, the parties discussed the results of the meeting between Energy Minister German Galushchenko and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, which took place in Paris in late September.
As part of the IEA delegation's visit to Ukraine, the event «Empowering Ukraine: Smart Grids for a Resilient Future» was held. The participants discussed the technical advantages of smart grids for enhancing the resilience and physical protection of the Ukrainian energy system, and identified measures to accelerate the implementation of relevant technologies.
«Following the idea of Net-Zero, we see Ukraine as a widely electrified country with a significant share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance. Meanwhile, every gigawatt of renewable energy requires the deployment of smart grids and storage to prevent energy losses. In the coming years, we will all experience an «electric revolution». It will change the nature of electricity demand and consumer behaviour. More and more consumers will become prosumers, generating electricity for their own needs and selling the surplus», the Deputy Minister said during the event.
He also noticed that the new system is built on smart grids and will comply with the R.E.F. principle. Where R stands for resilience, E for efficiency and F for flexibility.
Ukraine is committed to making its energy market efficient, predictable, transparent and competitive, and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine is working with the IEA and other partners to create the necessary framework for its development, including the development of smart grids.
Ukraine joined the International Energy Agency as an associate member in July 2022. The IEA community provides about 75% of the world's energy demand and covers more than 5 billion consumers.