Renewable energy sources should become basis of generation in Ukraine – expert

Olena Pavlenko, president of the Ukrainian think-tank DiXi Group, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“As we are planning to be a member of the EU, renewable energy sources should be the basis of our generation; we will have to give up coal and later gas. Given that each EU member state determines its own nuclear generation plans, it is advisable for Ukraine, given its knowledge and experience, to maintain this type of generation as well. This is how we see our energy balance in the future,” Pavlenko said.

The expert noted that Ukraine needs a decentralized generation system to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability to regular attacks. At the same time, it should be equipped with the most modern solutions for effective management.

Pavlenko also emphasized that in order to strengthen energy security, it is necessary to attract investments, the minimum necessary conditions for which may include covering military risks and the absence of debts in the balancing market. It is also necessary to liberalize the energy market, which is still subject to price restrictions.

“So at some point, we will have to return to market prices and tariffs in the energy sector to start rebuilding generation and infrastructure. It is not now, not in wartime, but in the future, we will have to. But before that, the government should come up with a clear plan on how to prepare for that: within two, five, seven years,” the expert noted.

She emphasized that all consumers should be given the opportunity to prepare for these changes through grant programs, “warm” loans, and other forms of assistance.

As reported, 800 to 850 megawatts of solar capacity were installed in Ukraine in 2024.