Today, on September 14, 2023, the second part of the III Energy Law Conference took place in Warsaw. The conference was organized by the Ukrainian Bar Association, with the support of the international law firm White & Case and with the UWEA’s informational support.
The conference brought together international renewable energy experts, leading specialists of the energy industry, representatives of the Ukrainian and Polish regulatory authorities and specialized state institutions, key industry associations and businesses. Panel discussions and open dialogues provided both participants and speakers with innovative insights into the current situation on the renewable energy market.
The conference addressed the challenges of ensuring energy security in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe, restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and attracting financing and investment in the energy sector.
This year, the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) was represented by three wind energy experts : Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the UWEA Board, Ivan Bondarchuk, UWEA Board Member, Counsel, Head of Energy and Natural Resources practice at LCF Law Group, and Kyrylo Kostyria, Member of the Board of the UWEA Legal Committee, Head of Legal Department at UDP Renewables.
In particular, the UWEA representatives held a panel discussion on the CEE renewable investment potential including investments in the post-war recovery of renewable energy infrastructure in Ukraine, Poland’s energy mix transformation path, and international financing of wind and solar projects in Ukraine and Poland.
Ivan Bondarchuk: “In our work, we are currently seeing an increasing interest of international developers in wind energy projects in Ukraine. Currently, few of them are ready to fully finance and build a project before the end of the war, but, under contractual terms with a Ukrainian partner, such foreign players can finance development or purchase an option to aсquire the project after the war.”
Kyrylo Kostyria: “Development of Wind Power plants projects during wartime is challenging process given the limitations imposed by the Government of Ukraine during martial law and war itself. But developers do not give up and continue to apply their best efforts in such development to enable future energy system stability with use of a green energy. And we, as a development company, are also taking part in the implementation of world—class development practices in Ukraine for energy sector that will in future ensure predictable and transparent development process for all interested parties.”
Andriy Konechenkov: ”Russia’s attacks push Ukraine to a radical reform – building a decentralized energy system with renewables at the core. Renewable power plants are more resilient to missile or drone attacks. Ukraine has excellent wind resources to ensure the widespread deployment of wind power. To accelerate the rollout of wind and other renewables in Ukraine, we need to truly liberalize our electricity market, avoid cross-subsidy, and simplify permitting procedures as soon as possible.”
