'Never safe without energy independence' | EU urged to back renewables-led recovery for Ukraine
Green power groups want investment vehicle to help war-torn country push share to 50% during reconstruction
Solar and wind energy associations from Europe and Ukraine have called on EU and Ukrainian leaders to set up a dedicated ‘Renewables for Ukraine’ investment vehicle, as part of a strategy to boost the expansion of green power to help the war-torn nation back on its feet.
“Living through the eight years of Russian hybrid war has taught me two things. The first is that Ukraine will never be safe until we have energy independence, and the second is that energy security can never come from fossil fuels,” said Andriy Konechenkov, chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association.
“Ukraine’s post-war recovery should be based on renewable energy.”
The target would mean at least 25GW of installed solar and wind capacity combined, and should be reached through a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted solar, as well as onshore and offshore wind, the groups said.
The wind and solar sector’s demand for a green investment vehicle came as the groups met with EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, as well as executives from grid operators and financial institutions in Brussels on Monday for a high-level round table.
The event took place in parallel to the international ‘Ukraine Recovery Conference’ in Lugano, Switzerland, at which a recovery and development plan for a post-war Ukraine was being discussed.
“Ukraine is European, and now a candidate member of the European Union. It follows that we must support Ukrainian renewable reconstruction in line with the Fit for 55 and REPowerEU packages,” SolarPower Europe chief executive Walburga Hemetsberger said.
“For the country’s energy security, prosperity, and climate goals, we must maximise the immense potential of Ukrainian renewables, and empower Ukraine to join the continent’s Solar Terawatt Journey by 2030.”
Malgosia Bartosik, deputy CEO of WindEurope, added: “Renewables should be at the core of rebuilding a climate neutral, prosperous and energy independent Ukraine.
“The European wind industry stands ready to support the Ukrainian post-war recovery and strengthen its energy security with affordable and scalable technology, while creating new jobs, supporting local communities and revitalising the Ukrainian economy.”
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