Government approves just transition program for coal regions — Shmyhal

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this during the official launch of the Power4JustTransition program for coal regions and communities, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

“As we move toward EU membership, we are transforming our country and implementing necessary reforms in all sectors. The coal industry is no exception. With the support of the German government, the European Commission, and the World Bank, we are carrying out the transformation of coal regions. Today, we are adopting the national-level strategic Just Transition Program for Ukraine’s coal regions through 2030. This is the first strategic document at the national level, which will serve as a roadmap both for government authorities and international partners,” Shmyhal said.

He clarified that the program covers activities in 38 communities connected to coal mining and thermal power generation. The government is focusing on four key areas: support for the local economy, development of decentralized and diversified energy, human capital, and environmental sustainability.

Shmyhal said that the program was the result of cooperation with German partners. He also recalled that, with German government support, a three-year structural reform project was launched in 2021 targeting coal regions in the Lviv and Volyn regions. As part of this initiative, Ukraine received over 1,000 units of technical equipment from Germany and 35 other countries to help eliminate the damage caused by Russian attacks. Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine continues to scale up this experience.

“I warmly welcome the launch of the new Power4JustTransition program, which begins today and will run for the next three years. The experience gained by pilot communities will be scaled across the country,” he said.

On September 22, 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the concept of the State Target Program for the Just Transition of Ukraine’s Coal Regions through 2030.