Tomorrow (Saturday, 16 March 2024) marks the second anniversary of the synchronisation of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s electricity grids to the Continental European Network. With fears about the security of energy supply for both countries following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Commission worked very closely with the counterparts in the 2 countries and managed to complete the synchronisation process in less than 3 weeks, although more than 1 year was initially foreseen to complete the synchronisation.
EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said:
'The synchronisation of the grids 2 years ago was not only a very important achievement for securing energy supplies for both Ukraine and Moldova. It was also a strong political symbol of our support, and that remains the case today. Throughout the difficult 2 years of war in Ukraine, our cooperation with Minister Galushchenko and Ukrenergo has been seamless. I would therefore also want to pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts and skills of Ukraine in keeping the system running and carrying out repairs in the face of Russia’s targeted attacks against energy infrastructure.'
European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) President Zbyněk Boldiš said:
'Synchronisation is an act of solidarity from the European Transmission System Operators. It was important for Ukraine and Moldova as it helped them keep their electricity systems stable under extremely difficult circumstances. As things have evolved, the synchronisation now offers Ukraine the opportunity to make the best possible use of its reserves and trade electricity with the EU both in import and export directions.'
Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of Ukrenergo, said:
'Ukrenergo meets the second anniversary of synchronisation as an ENTSO-E member. For the second year of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ukrainian power system has been operating synchronously with the European grid. For NPC Ukrenergo as well as for the whole Ukraine, the integration into ENTSO-E has become an event of extraordinary importance. We not only joined one of the largest interconnected power system in the world with the highest standards of operation, but also received huge support when the full-scale war broke out. Integration means new opportunities for electricity exchanges, more investments, and, above all, a new level of energy security, which will be enhanced by joint efforts from now on. We highly value the possibility of cooperating with ENTSO-E, and we are grateful to our European colleagues for their immense support all along the way towards this goal.'
The synchronisation has helped Ukraine cover the deficit in the Ukrainian power grid caused be Russian shelling and deliberate targeting of electricity infrastructure. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has lost about 10 GW of generating capacity as a result of occupation or destruction. According to Ukrenergo figures, the total volume of electricity that Ukraine imported from European countries has increased by 94% - from 415 million kWh in 2021 to 935m kWh. Under the EU-Ukraine agreement on emergency assistance, the total volume of electricity transferred between the two grids has risen by 77% - from 13.6m kWh in 2021 to 58.53m kWh in 2023. There has also been increased competition for Ukrainian electricity imports and exports to/from the EU as a direct result of the synchronisation. For example, the number of participating companies in auctions has risen from a handful of traders to roughly 40 for trade in both directions.
At the end of 2023, ENTSO-E confirmed that the Ukrainian TSO Ukrenergo had achieved compliance with all requirements for permanent synchronisation. Ukrenergo also became a full member of ENTSO-E on 1 January 2024. In the coming years, the close cooperation with Moldelectrica will continue to achieve the same compliance with the EU operational framework. The European Union continues to provide wide-ranging support to Ukraine in the energy sector, and will stand by Ukraine’s side for as long as it takes.
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Details
- Publication date
- 15 March 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Energy