Month: June 2026

The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference (#URC2026), held on June 25–26, 2026, in Gdańsk. The conference became one of the key international platforms for shaping the architecture of Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

The Association was represented by Chairman of the Board Andriy Konechenkov, First Deputy Chairman of the Board Ivan Bondarchuk, Chair of UWEA’s Legal Committee Olha Savchenko, and Board Member Galyna Shmidt. They took part in a series of high-level discussions focused on energy security, investment, and decentralized generation.

This year, energy was one of the central tracks of URC, with wind energy highlighted as one of the fastest and most scalable tools for strengthening the country’s energy resilience.

The updated vision of Ukraine’s Energy Strategy, presented on the sidelines of URC 2026 and currently being developed by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine together with the World Bank, aims to restore the country’s installed energy capacity to the pre-war level of 54 GW.

“Ukraine is building a new energy system adapted to the challenges of the 21st century. Ukraine’s strategic ambition is to restore the 54 GW of installed capacity that we had before 2014. This capacity should be ensured by: 50% nuclear energy, 30% renewable energy sources, and 20% new gas generation and modernized thermal energy,” stated First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

On the eve of the conference, on June 24, an international roundtable titled “Ukraine’s Energy Experience – Building Resilience Together with Europe” took place in Gdańsk. Organized by United Nations Global Compact Ukraine in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and supported by PwC Ukraine, the discussion focused on enhancing energy system resilience and accelerating investment scaling.

In his speech, Andriy Konechenkov emphasized that without updating market rules, the scaling of wind energy and other renewable technologies will remain limited despite strong investor interest.

As part of the conference’s main program, UWEA Chairman Andriy Konechenkov joined the panel discussion “From Resilience to Recovery: Energy Systems, Human Capital and Investment for Ukraine”, organized by UNDP Ukraine. The discussion focused on transforming Ukraine’s energy system from crisis response to long-term recovery. A key emphasis was placed on the role of distributed generation – particularly wind energy – as a cornerstone of energy resilience.

On June 25, UWEA also participated in the discussion “Ukraine’s Missing Link: How Local Energy Ambition Meets Investment”, initiated by the Ukraine Facility Platform. The focus shifted to the practical level: how to turn local community energy initiatives into bankable projects. Speaking on behalf of UWEA, First Deputy Chairman Ivan Bondarchuk stressed that: “Investor interest alone is not sufficient to launch new energy projects at the municipal level. Equally important is a transparent and predictable cooperation model between private capital and municipalities.”

Another important venue was the exhibition area at Gdańsk International Fair AMBEREXPO, where DTEK Renewables, Wind Parks of Ukraine, and KNESS presented their stands. Here, energy discussions moved beyond panel sessions into the realm of real negotiations, projects, and partnerships.

Today, energy security is one of the key challenges for both Ukraine and Europe. In wartime conditions, the resilience of the energy system is directly linked to national security, economic stability, and future development.

Speaking to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Olha Savchenko shared insights on Ukraine’s experience, industry challenges, and prospects for international cooperation:

“Today, energy security stands alongside physical security and national defense capability. In wartime, it is no longer only an economic or energy issue – it is a matter of national security. Despite the full-scale war, the sector continues to develop, and nearly 500 MW of new wind capacity is expected to be commissioned this year alone. We are ready to share this experience – from streamlining permitting procedures to simplifying land allocation and grid connection processes. All of this can help accelerate new energy projects and strengthen the energy resilience of Poland and the entire region.”

At the same time, one of the most significant achievements of URC 2026 was not only the discussions but also the concrete outcomes: Ukraine signed 28 international agreements in the energy sector, while the total volume of agreed financing for energy projects reached nearly EUR 2 billion.

URC 2026 effectively marked a new reality: the recovery of Ukraine’s energy sector has moved beyond planning into the stage of concrete agreements and capital deployment. In this process, wind energy is gradually assuming a systemic role rather than remaining a niche technology.

UWEA is honored to once again participate in this strategically important conference and to be present where decisions are made that shape the future of Ukraine’s energy sector and its recovery.

On June 24, 2026, as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, a panel discussion titled “From Resilience to Recovery: Energy Systems, Human Capital and Investment for Ukraine” was held, organized by UNDP.

The event focused on Ukraine’s recovery through strengthening energy infrastructure, developing human capital, and stimulating investment. Participants discussed practical solutions for sustainable reconstruction and enhancing the country’s energy security.

Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA), took part in the panel discussion dedicated to the role of distributed generation (particularly wind energy) in Ukraine’s energy resilience. During his speech, he noted:

“Despite the prolonged war and the fact that 56% of our pre-war wind power capacity remains in temporarily occupied territories, Ukraine’s wind energy sector continues to demonstrate resilience. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 703 MW of new wind capacity has been commissioned in Ukraine. As of today, the wind energy project pipeline for 2027–2033 exceeds 10 GW of capacity.”

UWEA expresses its gratitude to the UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme for organizing this nationally important event. We sincerely thank all participants for the constructive discussion and joint efforts in identifying effective solutions to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security.

On 24 June ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, the international roundtable “Ukraine’s Energy Experience – Building Resilience Together with Europe” took place. The event was organized by Global Compact network in Ukraine in partnership with UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), with the support of PwC Ukraine.

Among the speakers was Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association. His remarks focused on the need for and methods of optimizing market mechanisms to accelerate the large-scale deployment of wind energy and other renewable energy technologies in Ukraine.

The event brought together representatives of governments, international financial institutions, investors, partner organizations, and energy sector leaders to discuss how Ukraine’s practical experience in ensuring energy resilience during wartime can contribute to strengthening Europe’s energy security and create new opportunities for international cooperation and investment.

Participants discussed key aspects of attracting investment into Ukraine’s energy sector, including the development and modernization of energy infrastructure, the integration of Ukrainian and European energy markets, the implementation of high standards of transparency and corporate governance, effective mechanisms for mitigating investment risks, and tools for accelerating the country’s sustainable recovery through public-private partnerships.

In his speech, Andriy Konechenkov stated:

“To strengthen the current growth trend in renewable energy capacity, we must optimize our market mechanisms. In particular, we need to define long-term prospects for green auctions; implement mechanisms to reduce war-related risks, such as the Ramp-Up mechanism and ensure stable financial sustainability in Ukraine’s electricity market.

Ukraine possesses world-class wind resources, a strategically advantageous geographic location, and a uniquely bold private sector. By combining these factors and ensuring strong institutional trust through resolving the debt crisis in the market, we will be able to scale this success together with Europe and accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the European energy market.”

Ukraine possesses world-class wind resources, a strategically advantageous geographic location, and a uniquely bold private sector. By combining these factors and ensuring strong institutional trust through resolving the debt crisis in the market, we will be able to scale this success together with Europe and accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the European energy market.”

Thank you Global Compact network in Ukraine for the invitation and for organizing such an important event at URC 2026!

On June 18–19, 2026, the 10th International Forum of Agrarian Innovations “Nove Zernyatko 2026” took place in the village of Nastasiv, Ternopil region, bringing together over 150 partners and 9,000 visitors. One of the key events of the forum was the thematic panel “Innovations in Energy: Challenges and Opportunities during the War in Synergy with Ukraine’s Agricultural Potential.” Representing the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) in the discussion was Mykola Savchuk, Deputy Chairman of the UWEA Board for Distributed Generation and CEO of GRESA-GROUP. The energy panel was moderated by Serhii Savchuk, Member of the Board of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine. The speakers included Andrii Herus, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Utilities Services, Vladyslav Stemkovskyi, Deputy Mayor of Ternopil, and heads of specialized energy companies.

During the event, Mr. Savchuk presented the current state of the industry and a practical algorithm for the development of energy projects for business. According to the provided data, the total installed wind power capacity in Ukraine has reached 2.2 GW, including the 56% of capacities currently located in temporarily occupied territories. At the same time, the sector continues to grow: since 2022, 704 MW have been commissioned, of which a record 324.4 MW were launched in 2025, and the total project pipeline up to 2028 is estimated at 3.5 GW.

He also described in detail the stages of creating in-house generation for enterprises — from forming a concept and collecting data on peak and seasonal consumption to analyzing local constraints, demonstrating this with the example of assessing the wind potential of the “Zboriv” site. Special attention was paid to the model of energy microgrids, which involves the integration of wind power plants (WPPs), solar power plants (SPPs), biomass, and energy storage systems. This approach ensures not only a reliable energy supply and a reduction in the cost of agricultural products but also opens up additional opportunities for business: selling surplus electricity on the wholesale market, creating local “energy islands” for neighboring communities, and providing power system flexibility services to the Transmission System Operator (TSO).

On June 18, 2026, the second annual Franco-Ukrainian Renewable Energy Conference, “Ukraine: Rebuilding with Sustainable, Carbon-Free Energy,” organized by Calidris, took place at the French National Assembly.

The conference brought together leading experts, business representatives, industry associations, financial institutions, and government authorities from Ukraine and France to discuss the future of sustainable energy and the green reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association was represented by the Head of the Analytical Department, Yevhenii Kontorshchykov, who took part in the panel discussion “Energy as a Strategic Asset for Resilience,” dedicated to the strategic role of energy and its ability to support a country’s economic stability in wartime conditions.

The UWEA presented to the French audience up-to-date statistics on Ukraine’s installed wind power capacity since 2022 and highlighted the positive development trend of the sector despite ongoing shelling and direct attacks on energy infrastructure. It was also emphasized that, despite these challenges, Ukraine remains a promising country for investment in wind energy. During the speech, Yevhenii Kontorshchykov noted:

«Today, Ukraine remains one of the most promising markets in Eastern Europe for wind energy, thanks to significant natural potential and the state’s ambitious goal of reaching 6.2 GW of installed capacity by 2030.

Ukraine’s future reconstruction will involve a deep transformation of its energy infrastructure, where wind energy will play one of the key roles in the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources.

At the same time, the Ukrainian market remains open to various investment models, creating flexible opportunities for international cooperation. That is why it is important to systematically promote Ukraine’s investment opportunities, particularly in Europe, in order to implement future joint projects.”

We thank France for its tireless support of Ukraine and its willingness to contribute to the country’s reconstruction, including in the energy sector!

On June 9, the DiXi Group think tank presented a summer review of the electricity and gas sectors. The event was dedicated to assessing the state of the power system on the eve of the summer period, which is a critical window for repairs and infrastructure preparation for the next autumn-winter period, as well as discussing whether decentralized generation is truly a systemic element of Ukraine’s new energy model.

Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association Andriy Konechenkov joined the discussion and shared his assessments of the development of wind energy and energy storage systems:

• Construction pace: Despite the war, wind power continues to be built. During the full-scale invasion, 703 MW of wind power projects have already been built, and about 500 MW more are expected to be built in 2026.
• Energy storage systems: last year, according to a survey of UVEA participants, 512 MW of UZE were installed. Since last year, the association has created a relevant committee and started developing this area, and the allocation of 100 MW of quota at auctions for hybrid projects “solar + UZE” is a very positive signal.

Olga Savchenko, Head of the UVEA Committee on Legal Issues and partner of the law firm Altelaw&Sempra, also participated in the discussion, and analyzed the impact of the new legislation on the sector:

• Updated auctions and new models: the adopted Law of Ukraine No. 4777-IX “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Improving Competitive Conditions for the Production of Electricity from Alternative Energy Sources” introduces important innovations. In particular, the term of “green” auctions has been extended until 2035, the entry threshold for participants has been lowered, and a transition to the modern European model of a pure market premium has been provided.
• Debt issue: the existing debt levels of the State Enterprise “Guaranteed Buyer” from previous years remain a significant obstacle. This significantly reduces institutional trust on the part of European financial institutions and inhibits the attraction of foreign capital.

«Changes are not happening as quickly as we would like, but I think that it is renewable energy sources that can help the energy sector the most quickly today», — Andriy Konechenkov emphasized.

The summer season is a kind of test of the power system’s ability to prepare for the coming winter and rethink its architecture. Renewable energy and storage systems are already proving their ability to strengthen energy independence, but a predictable regulatory framework, overcoming historical debts, and transparent instruments of cooperation between the state and investors are critical for large-scale and sustainable development.

We are pleased to announce that UWEA, in partnership with Altelaw&Sempra, is launching the development of a practical guide for the deployment of energy storage systems in Ukraine, titled the BESS Project Implementation Guide for Ukraine’s Power Sector Recovery and Modernization. 

Today, Ukraine needs not only the restoration of its energy infrastructure but also its deep transformation in line with the principles of energy security, resilience and decarbonisation. Recognising the importance of this energy transition, it is essential to effectively translate the strategic vision of energy storage into the rapid implementation of projects. Energy storage is now a critically important component of a modern power system and a necessary prerequisite for the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, wind generation in particular. Without sufficient energy storage capacity, the variability of RES generation limits the development of new energy and creates additional challenges for the stability of the power system. That is precisely why the Ukrainian market urgently needs specialised technical and commercial expertise to remove ambiguity, create a seamless investment environment and lower the barriers to private capital entering the market.

The main goal of this project is to create a comprehensive and practical guide that directly bridges the gap between the theoretical and the practical implementation of energy storage facilities. The project goes beyond policy discussion and focuses on providing practical, investment-grade knowledge for implementation.

The Energy Storage Project Implementation Guide for Ukraine will become a market-ready guide for Ukrainian and international investors and will cover the following topics:

• regulatory and institutional aspects;
• market entry mechanisms;
• business opportunities and potential partnerships;
• analysis of implemented BESS projects;
• financial indicators and operating models of storage assets in the electricity market.

The project is designed to run for four months, with the presentation of the guide scheduled for September 2026. The guide will be prepared in Ukrainian and English, in both printed and electronic formats. 

💬 “Energy storage systems (ESS) are not just an additional element of the energy transition — they are its essential prerequisite. Implementing projects on the ground requires specialised technical and commercial knowledge, which, unfortunately, is currently lacking. Our goal in this project is to close the existing gap and provide the information needed to implement energy storage projects,” said Halyna Shmidt, Director for International Affairs at UWEA. 

💬 Ihor Retivov, partner at Altelaw&Sempra and head of the UWEA Committee for the Development and Implementation of Energy Storage, added: “At UWEA, understanding the importance and the promise of energy storage for Ukraine’s power system, we strive to create additional opportunities for the use of energy storage technologies, to make the process of development, financing, construction and operation unambiguous, and to provide the owners of such assets with recommendations on commercial activity and profitability planning. In our view, such a project can resolve a significant number of questions on the part of investors and make the expected results realistic, without any ‘energy’ romanticism.”

We are sincerely grateful to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) for supporting this initiative, for understanding the challenges that Ukraine’s power system faces today, and for recognising the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience amid unprecedented challenges and instability.

On the Pryamiy TV channel, Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board, spoke about the key realities, challenges and prospects for the development of renewable energy in Ukraine. Among the topics discussed were:

• the construction of new wind farms and attracting investors under wartime conditions;
• changes to the market rules, increasing quotas at “green” auctions and the development of energy storage systems;
• the problem of debt in the energy market, transmission tariffs and the need for a stable regulatory policy;
• distributed generation and how wind and solar help to balance the power system;

They also discussed why local energy sources, in particular, will become the foundation for a resilient reconstruction and for attracting investment into the economy of Ukrainian communities.

You can watch the full interview at the following link:

On 2 June 2026, UWEA Board Chairman Andriy Konechenkov took part in a working meeting of participants in Ukraine’s energy market, during which Daria Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, presented the draft “Economy of the Future” Strategy. This framework document, developed by the Ministry together with the World Bank, sets out the pathways for Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

According to the presentation, energy is a fundamental component of economic resilience, and renewable energy has been officially designated as one of the nine priority sectors with the highest potential for attracting foreign direct investment.

In order to realise this potential, the authors of the Strategy identify a number of mandatory market and regulatory steps:

• Liberalisation and market conditions. The document emphasises the need to liberalise the wholesale market, gradually abolish special obligations (PSO) and transition to market-based electricity tariffs. Priorities also include resuming “green” auctions, settling the accumulated debt and achieving full integration with the EU energy market. 
• Reducing investment risks. To attract private capital, the government will expand its de-risking instruments, among which the RAMP UP programme is highlighted specifically for investments in renewable energy sources. 
• Decentralisation. Direct investment in decentralised generation is identified as the main tool for ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply. 
• Priority projects. Wind energy holds leading positions in the indicative list of key government projects. A separate, important emphasis is placed on grid balancing — energy storage projects are singled out as a strategic priority with a total budget of USD 1 billion.

Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board, commented on the strategy:

“Building the ‘Economy of the Future’ is impossible without a resilient, decentralised energy foundation. The Strategy must take into account that renewable energy is not merely an environmental trend, but a matter of our national security and an industry for billions in investment. But to implement these large-scale projects, we must resolve a number of issues: finally settle the debt crisis in the renewables market, create transparent conditions for investors and complete the liberalisation of the energy market”.