Month: February 2025

On 26 February 2025, the European Commission presented a revolutionary and long-awaited document – the Clean Industrial Deal – a new EU strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy. It focuses on electrification and prioritises the increase of “green” production capacity.

Having felt its vulnerability to price fluctuations on the global energy resources market, as well as suffering from fierce global competition, European industry felt that it needed support. Therefore, the presented Clean Industrial Deal (the Deal) provides for concrete measures to turn the decarbonisation policy into a driving force for its growth and development. The measures concern, in particular, lowering energy prices, creating quality jobs and forming favourable conditions for doing business.

Thus, the objective of the Deal is to strengthen every stage of the production process, with particular attention to:

• energy-intensive sectors of the economy, such as the production of steel, metals and chemical products,
• the clean energy technology sector, which possesses a significant level of competitiveness and is an integral aspect of ensuring industrial transformation and decarbonisation, as well as
• the development of the circular economy, the aim of which is to reduce production waste and extend the life cycle of materials through the active implementation of best practices in recycling, reuse and sustainable production.

The main elements of the Deal

• Ensuring the availability of energy. That is, the accelerated deployment of clean energy and electrification, the completion of the integration of the internal energy market through physical cross-border interconnections, the more efficient use of energy and the reduction of dependence on fossil fuel imports. The implementation of this element is also regulated by a separate Action Plan for Affordable Energy.
• Stimulating demand for clean products. That is, the introduction and observance of sustainability and resilience criteria in the production of goods, as well as support for the “made in Europe” label during public and private procurement. For this purpose, in particular, the European Commission plans to revise the Public Procurement Framework in 2026.
• Financing the clean transition. That is, the adoption of new rules on state support and subsidies for renewables, the decarbonisation of industry and new production capacity; the strengthening of the Innovation Fund and the creation of an Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, which will be filled by the Fund, by revenues from the emissions trading system and by an updated InvestEU programme; the stimulation of scientific research and innovation through Horizon Europe, etc. All of this in order to mobilise more than €100 billion in support of clean production in the EU.
• Increasing access to and ensuring a more sustainable use of resources. That is, the creation of a mechanism for the joint ordering of critical materials in order to improve supply conditions; the establishment of an EU Critical Raw Materials Centre, responsible for joint procurement; the adoption of a Circular Economy Act in 2026, which envisages the use in the EU of at least 24% of production materials on circularity terms by 2030.

The role of wind energy for the Deal

Wind energy is Europe’s own (local), competitive and scalable resource. It is precisely this energy sector that offers unique opportunities to implement all aspects of the Deal and to satisfy the growing demand for electricity that is forecast up to 2040. For example, according to WindEurope data, for the chemical industry this demand will grow from 195 TWh in 2030 to 290 TWh in 2040, for the cement industry – from 32 TWh in 2030 to 76 TWh in 2040, and for the aluminium industry – from 70 TWh to 100 TWh respectively. Therefore, given the prospect of scaling and a rather high capacity utilisation factor – 1 GW of wind energy produces twice as much electricity as the equivalent capacity of solar – it is precisely wind energy that is capable of satisfying this demand. “If in the 2030s the EU maintains a stable level of wind generation deployment – 30 GW annually (of which 20 GW is onshore and 10 GW offshore)”, says WindEurope, – “then electricity production from wind will increase almost fourfold compared to today’s level, reaching 1,830 TWh by 2040”.

Global partnership

However, to implement the Deal, the EU needs reliable global partners. Therefore, in addition to expanding trade agreements, the European Commission also plans to launch Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships to diversify supply chains, to use trade defence mechanisms for the sake of economic security and to strengthen the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to ensure fair pricing of CO₂ emissions in the production of energy-intensive products.

What does this mean for Ukraine?

The Clean Industrial Deal is an opportunity for Ukraine to integrate already into the new economic model of the EU, which offers more security and predictability. Ukraine has a unique chance to become an important partner in providing the EU with critical raw materials, “green” energy and clean technologies. Thanks to its resources, geographical location and industrial potential, Ukraine can join the European industrial transition and, accordingly, receive new investment. However, for this it is necessary to: accelerate the decarbonisation of industry by developing renewables; build up modern processing capacity; promote the development of national production of “green” technologies, in particular wind turbines and their components; as well as actively cooperate with the EU in the field of critical materials.

The Clean Industrial Deal: https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en

On 21 February 2025, the first webinar in the series of professional online events planned by UWEA for this year took place. The event was dedicated to the quality of foundations for wind turbines – a key aspect of building modern wind energy facilities. Given the complex geological conditions and the diversity of soils in Ukraine, the choice of optimal solutions for foundation structures is critical for developers, construction companies and wind farm operators. The speakers of the webinar were representatives of such UWEA member companies as BUREAU VERITAS UKRAINE, LLC “Sika Ukraine” and MC-Bauchemie Ukraine.

During the event, the invited experts agreed that the quality of foundations directly affects the stability, durability and safe operation of wind energy installations. “Insufficient control over the quality of foundations can lead to the uneven settlement of structures, premature wear or even the decommissioning of turbines”, noted Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board and the event’s moderator, opening the webinar.

In particular, the webinar discussed the following issues: the quality of foundations for wind turbines and the relevant international standards, independent technical inspection and construction control, the planning of technological sites and access roads, and the application of innovative materials to increase the stability of foundations.

Thus, Daria Bezruchenko, product manager for inspections and certification at BUREAU VERITAS UKRAINE, as part of her presentation dedicated to the role of independent technical inspection in wind energy projects, also spoke about the main stages of the process of planning and building foundations, technological sites and roads for wind turbines. “Independent technical inspection plays an important role in reducing the risks associated with material defects or design errors. This ensures not only the preservation of the budget, but also increases the overall safety and efficiency of wind energy projects. BUREAU VERITAS UKRAINE is a market leader in the services of testing, technical inspection and technical audits of foundation structures”, noted Ms Bezruchenko.

Kostiantyn Horbachov, head of the wind energy division, and Oleksii Huniak, product engineer in the “Concrete” department, who represent LLC “Sika Ukraine”, in turn, spoke about the various options for waterproofing the underground part of a foundation and solutions for the precise grouting of equipment, including those that can be applied even at low temperatures and in severe weather conditions. According to the representatives, LLC “Sika Ukraine” is able to provide the full range of available solutions for wind turbines: surface protection, bonding, joint sealing, injection, high-efficiency concrete admixtures, grouts, repair, waterproofing, etc.

Finally, Artem Zakharov, project manager, and Yevheniia Tykholaz, head of the laboratory in the town of Berezan of the company MC-Bauchemie Ukraine, presented the capabilities of their concrete laboratory, where cement and aggregates are tested, the composition of concrete and the consistency of the concrete mix are selected, studies of the heat release of concrete are carried out, etc. They also presented a wide range of concrete admixtures produced by MC-Bauchemie Ukraine.

The combination of modern technologies with strict control at all stages of construction – from design to operation – is the key to the reliability of foundations. In particular, the general conclusions of the webinar are as follows:

• Independent technical inspection is an effective quality-control mechanism that makes it possible to avoid critical errors in the construction of foundations.
• Modern concrete technologies and specialised admixtures increase the strength of structures and ensure their durability even in conditions of complex climatic influences.
• The planning of technological sites and access roads should be integrated into the overall concept of wind turbine construction to increase the efficiency of the work.
• The introduction of innovative materials makes it possible not only to strengthen structures, but also to reduce construction times without loss of quality.

The webinar confirmed the need for further discussions and research in this field, and UWEA, in turn, will continue to organise a series of online events aimed at raising the standards of construction of wind energy facilities in Ukraine.

Video recording of the webinar:

On 17 February 2025, UWEA Board Chairman Andriy Konechenkov visited the town of Borodianka in the Kyiv region to open an off-grid solar power plant with a capacity of 15 kW, installed on the grounds of the “Kazka” preschool educational institution.

The solar system was installed within the framework of the #Renewables4Ukraine initiative, launched by the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) and the global platform Global100RE in partnership with UWEA. The implementation of the project was financed by the Finnish non-profit organisation EKOenergy, and support was provided by the charitable organisation “Vidvazhnykh”. This is already the second successfully implemented initiative in Borodianka – a town that suffered significant destruction as a result of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops in 2022.

All the installation work was carried out by specialists of the company LLC “Zelena Systema”. According to Andriy Konechenkov, this solar station became the largest installed within the framework of the #Renewables4Ukraine initiative in Irpin, Borodianka and other towns: “This is a real alternative to a diesel generator, which in such a case would be the only source of backup power. A generator works noisily, burns fuel and requires constant maintenance. A solar station, on the other hand, operates silently, does not require additional spending on fuel and is an environmentally clean solution. We will continue to work so that even more social facilities in the affected regions gain access to renewable energy”.

Stefan Gsanger, Secretary General of the WWEA and Vice-Chairman of Global100RE: “In the light of recent dramatic international events, it is more important than ever that the renewable energy community demonstrates its practical solidarity with the people in Ukraine, in particular with children, who are the most vulnerable part of our society”.

The director of the kindergarten, Nataliia Herasymenko, emphasised that the new solar system will make it possible to provide light not only to the facility, but also to the shelter that is used during air raids: “Previously, when an air raid alert was announced in the town, we would go down to the bomb shelter, often in complete darkness, lighting our way with flashlights. This was very inconvenient, especially for small children. Now, thanks to this project, we will have light and the ventilation will work even in the event of a power outage. This is a huge step towards the safety of our pupils”.

UWEA extends its sincere gratitude to all the partners and benefactors who made this project possible. Through joint efforts, we not only provide critically important facilities with electricity, but also create the foundation for a sustainable energy future for Ukraine.

On 19 February 2025, UWEA, together with Green Deal Ukraïna, the EUEA and IMEPOWER, held a closed online discussion dedicated to attracting private investment into Ukraine’s renewable energy sector. The event brought together key market players, government representatives and financial institutions to discuss ways to overcome the critical challenges facing investors in Ukraine. Private investment is the foundation for the development of “green” energy, but the pilot auctions of 2024 revealed serious problems in the market: limited access to financing, high war risks and an unstable regulatory environment, which hold back the attraction of capital. In response to this, UWEA and the EUEA initiated the creation of a Minimum Price Guarantee Fund – a strategic financial instrument intended to create a predictable and competitive environment for investors in Ukraine’s renewable energy.

The participants of the event, who included, in particular, representatives of the EBRD and the European Commission, discussed concrete mechanisms for solving the problem of attracting investment into the industry. Among the key topics of the discussion:

• The main obstacles for private investors in Ukraine’s renewables sector;
• The possibilities for introducing a minimum electricity price guarantee mechanism in Ukraine;
• The role of Ukraine and the EU in creating a stable renewables market;
• The interaction between risk-reduction instruments and future renewables auctions.

Oleksandr Podpruhin, Deputy Chairman of the UWEA Board: “The proposed mechanism is not a subsidy; on the contrary, it should stimulate the most market-based mechanisms possible for the creation of new generating capacity. At the same time, it is important that the fund be sustainable and not lead to systemic financial risks. For this, several safeguards are envisaged: the guaranteed price will be set 20–30% below the forecast, which minimises the use of money from the fund; the risk-sharing mechanism and competition among participants will make it possible to optimise the cost of insurance; and the participants’ contributions will create a basis for scaling and long-term financial stability”.

A separate principle to which Mr Podpruhin drew attention is the independence of the fund from the Ukrainian state, which, due to the current situation, remains vulnerable. “State guarantees today are not truly bankable, and therefore, for the successful launch of the mechanism, an international leader is needed, for example, the EBRD. Without such a fund and corresponding support from international partners, the implementation of new projects in the renewables sector will be an extremely difficult task, and Ukraine’s energy system will not be able to achieve the necessary level of resilience and modernisation”, added the Deputy Chairman of UWEA.

Olha Yeromina, Senior Banker, EBRD: “Investors need predictability, because the expected investments are large and long-term. It is wonderful that many donors are ready to support this initiative and continue to work side by side with the relevant state bodies to develop a competitive and resilient renewable energy market”.

Aron Kerepl-Fronius, energy advisor, Delegation of the EU to Ukraine: “Strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience is one of the EU’s important policy goals. So, we understand the importance and priority of this initiative, and we also see the interest of donors. Now we are awaiting a meeting with renewables producers so that international donors can study in more detail the projects that may qualify for support from the Fund”.

Charles-Antoine de Crombrugghe, policy advisor of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood of the European Commission, emphasised the following: “The Minimum Price Guarantee Fund can play a key role in reducing volatility and ensuring the implementation of projects. By focusing on a single targeted instrument, we can effectively contribute to the realisation of existing initiatives. Such a fund should be regarded solely as a temporary solution that complements broader efforts to expand markets and carry out reforms. The ultimate goal remains the creation of a self-sufficient market in Ukraine that will not require such financial instruments. At the same time, until this is achieved, it is important to implement strategic temporary mechanisms, such as the one presented today.”

Ukraine’s energy transition cannot wait! Despite the war, we must act today to create a stable environment for investors. The Minimum Price Guarantee Fund is a real tool for attracting international capital and accelerating the deployment of renewables capacity in Ukraine.

UWEA thanks all the partners and participants of the discussion for their valuable contributions and support. The Association will continue to advocate for solutions that will make Ukraine’s renewable energy market more predictable, stable and attractive for investors.

The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) and the Swedish Wind Energy Association (SWEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the development of the national wind energy sectors. This agreement is aimed at using Sweden’s experience and its investment potential to support Ukraine’s energy transition and its post-war recovery.

Recognising the key role of wind energy in ensuring energy security and achieving sustainable development goals, the Memorandum defines the main areas of cooperation, including the exchange of knowledge, joint research, support for regulatory policy and the facilitation of attracting investment. The partnership will focus on the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy – important components for ensuring Ukraine’s long-term energy independence.

Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board: “The signing of this Memorandum is an important milestone in strengthening Ukrainian-Swedish cooperation in the field of wind energy. Sweden has long been a leader in the field of renewable energy, and its experience, technological expertise and investment support are of critical importance for Ukraine’s post-war recovery and its energy transition. Despite the challenges of the war, wind energy has proven its resilience, ensuring Ukraine’s energy security and laying the foundation for a sustainable future. Expanding cooperation with Sweden will make it possible to accelerate the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy, strengthening Ukraine’s energy independence.

Swedish investors played an important role in Ukraine’s renewable energy sector even before the war, bringing not only capital, but also high standards of project implementation. We highly value our previous experience of cooperation with Swedish partners and are confident that this cooperation will continue to grow, contributing to innovation and strengthening Ukraine’s position on the European energy market”.

Daniel Badman, CEO of the Swedish Wind Energy Association: “Energy security today is a key issue on Europe’s agenda and a common interest for all of us. Breaking free from dependence on Russian energy resources is both a driving force behind and a consequence of the expansion of European renewable energy. We are already observing a number of initiatives from member companies that are transferring equipment to the Ukrainian market, and we hope that this initiative will strengthen the ties between us, contributing to further cooperation in the future”.

The Memorandum will contribute to the implementation of joint initiatives, in particular the organisation of working visits, industry events and research projects focused on the development of Ukraine’s wind energy sector.

Both associations will cooperate closely to align policies and strategies that promote the attraction of investment and the implementation of innovations. This agreement is another confirmation of the growing support for Ukraine from the European wind energy community. In the process of restoring the country’s energy infrastructure, such partnerships will play a decisive role in accelerating the transition to a sustainable and energy-independent future.

We are sincerely grateful to our Swedish partners for their unwavering support, trust and commitment to Ukraine’s energy transformation in this difficult time. Their dedication to the development of clean energy and their faith in Ukraine’s potential are invaluable. We deeply appreciate their steadfast cooperation, which plays a key role in accelerating Ukraine’s “green” transition.

On 7 February 2025, UWEA Board Chairman Andriy Konechenkov and UWEA analyst Yevhenii Kontorshchykov visited Myrhorod for the opening of an off-grid solar station that was installed at the local preschool educational institution No. 12 “Svitliachok”. On the roof of the facility, which educates 185 children, a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 10.4 kW and a battery with a capacity of 12 kWh were installed.

The solar system was installed within the framework of the #Renewables4Ukraine initiative, launched by the World Wind Energy Association and the Global100RE platform in cooperation with UWEA. The project, worth €18,000, was implemented through charitable donations from the Finnish non-profit organisation “EKOenergy” to support Ukraine’s social infrastructure in times of war. All the equipment installation work was carried out by specialists of LLC “Zelena Systema”.

According to the mayor, Serhii Solomakha, the installation of the solar station will not only contribute to ensuring the energy stability of the facility, but will also allow children to receive an education in an environmentally clean environment, in accordance with modern standards of sustainable development. Thanks to the installation of the solar power plant, backup power is provided, which helps to avoid interruptions in heat and water supply.

Stefan Gsanger, Secretary General of the WWEA: “We feel enormous satisfaction and joy at being able to once again provide the children of this kindergarten with a stable electricity supply. The significance of this event goes far beyond a single project. It makes clear the principles on which a better, more peaceful and prosperous world can be built. We are extremely grateful to everyone who made this solar installation possible”.

“Our goal is to popularise “green” energy, including among children. We help communities to become energy-independent, because every installed kilowatt of renewable energy is not only a saving on utility costs, but also a contribution to their future. This is already the fourteenth project to install a solar power plant and the fourth project specifically for a preschool educational institution. We want children to grow up and continue to build our country using clean and local energy sources”, – commented Andriy Konechenkov.

The implementation of the solar station project at “Svitliachok” became another proof that renewable energy is not only a modern trend, but also a real opportunity to ensure a stable and safe future for the youngest Ukrainians. UWEA extends its sincere gratitude to the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), EKOenergy and the Myrhorod City Council, who supported this important project. Special thanks to the team of LLC “Zelena Systema” for the high-quality and prompt installation of the equipment.

On 7 February 2025, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Law of Ukraine No. 4213-IX “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine in the Field of Energy and in the Field of Heat Supply Regarding the Clarification of Provisions Related to the Operation of Martial Law in Ukraine” (registration number No. 9381), which defined some long-awaited provisions for the market.

In general, the Law introduces changes to such issues as abuse on the wholesale electricity market, the disclosure of insider information, fines for violations, the import of electricity, the status of cogeneration installations, licensing, active consumers, “green” auctions, etc. However, one of the important provisions for the market in this Law was the definition of the capacity reservation service.

All the key provisions for the market:

• The reservation service. A service provided by the transmission system operator (NPC Ukrenergo or the TSO) for reserving technical solutions regarding the connection scheme of the customer’s generating capacity for a period of up to 2 years, which is available for wind energy installations with a capacity of 20 MW and above.
• The reservation fee. €5 per 1 kW of reserved capacity, paid within 20 days to an escrow account. Non-payment leads to the termination of the reservation agreement. If a connection agreement is signed, the reservation fee is credited as part of the connection fee.
• Technical connection conditions. The validity period may be extended to 6 years by an additional agreement. An extension after 3 years is possible subject to the approval of the design documentation, payment for connection and receipt of the construction documentation, with some particularities.
• Prepayment for connection. A mandatory prepayment of €10 per 1 kW of ordered capacity. Payment is made in two parts: 50% within 30 days, 50% within 12 months.
• Installed capacity. The total installed capacity of a facility may exceed the capacity agreed with the TSO or DSO at the connection point, provided that the instantaneous output of capacity into the grid does not exceed the limit set under the agreement with the TSO or DSO.
• Construction of the linear part. Customers may design and build the linear part of the connection for capacities over 1 MW. The costs are included in the total fee for non-standard connection.
• “Green” auctions. The share of the quota that a business entity may claim to participate in an auction, either independently or with a common ultimate beneficial owner, has been increased to 50%.
• Monetary obligations. During martial law, the enforcement of monetary obligations is suspended. This applies to electricity market participants listed on the website of the NEURC.
• Debt repayment. Surplus income from dispatching activity in 2023 and 2024 is directed to repaying the debts of the TSO and covering costs. According to the estimate of NPC Ukrenergo, this is approximately UAH 12–13 billion for debt repayment.

UWEA extends its gratitude to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services for considering and supporting the adoption of these provisions, and to the President of Ukraine for signing this Law. The definition of the capacity reservation service, as well as the direction of funds to repay debt on the electricity market, is an important step towards improving market conditions and increasing the investment attractiveness of the market during martial law.

On 4 February 2025, Oschadbank reported that it had concluded a number of agreements with the Eco-Optima group of companies for the implementation of the project to build the “Sokal” wind farm with a capacity of 39.9 MW in the Lviv region.

The “Sokal wind farm” project envisages the installation of 7 modern wind turbines, manufactured by the German company NORDEX, a member of UWEA. It is expected that the station’s total generation of “green” electricity will amount to about 122 million kWh per year.

Zinovii Kozytskyi, owner of the ECO-OPTIMA group of companies and a member of the UWEA Board: “The construction of a wind farm is an important project for the state, because after russia’s deliberate destruction of part of Ukraine’s energy sector, the construction of new power plants is an indispensable stage of recovery, especially when it comes to the construction of environmentally clean power plants. I want to emphasise that we managed to implement the signing of the loan agreement with Oschadbank in extremely short terms, in fact within 2.5 months, which is a record result for project financing. I consider this a very successful start to active cooperation between the ECO-OPTIMA group of companies and Oschadbank. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but the first main step has been taken”.

The total amount of financing provided by Oschadbank is €40 million and includes, in addition to lending, also the provision of an irrevocable confirmed “green” letter of credit in the amount of over €23 million, with the participation in the deal of the partner bank, the EBRD.

Yurii Katsion, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Oschadbank, responsible for corporate business: “The construction of the Sokal wind park will be of great significance both for the community and for the entire country. The project, the implementation period of which will be a little over a year, will have a positive impact on the country’s energy balance in terms of restoring the generation capacities destroyed by russia, and is also an important step for “greening” the energy mix. And for the Sokal community, the operation of the wind farm will provide additional jobs, revenues from land-use payments and an alternative source of electricity; in addition, the construction will contribute to the development of road infrastructure. Thus, the comprehensive impact of the investments made becomes much broader than just the implementation of a business plan, and this is truly inspiring”, – he commented on the signing of the agreement.

UWEA sincerely congratulates the companies Eco-Optima and NORDEX, as well as Oschadbank, on this important step on the path to the development of wind energy in Ukraine! This project is another proof that the restoration of Ukraine’s energy independence is impossible without renewables and without wind. We wish a successful implementation of the project and new ambitious achievements on the path to Ukraine’s “green” future!

Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board: “The development of wind energy is not only an economic solution, but also a strategic contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s energy security. The Sokal wind farm is a symbol of resilience and recovery, demonstrating how international partnership, a professional approach and the support of financial institutions can accelerate the transformation of Ukraine’s energy sector. We welcome this significant step and hope that it will become an example for further successful investments in the wind energy of our country”.