Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has sustained extensive damage since the start of the war in 2022, with over 60 percent of generation capacity affected and direct losses exceeding US$20.5 billion. Millions of civilians have been left without reliable access to electricity, heating, and water. Ukraine’s ability to recover and rebuild hinges on restoring a secure, resilient and sustainable energy system.

On 22 September, on the margins of the 80^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a high-level event to spotlight Ukraine’s determined efforts to stabilise and modernise the energy sector in the face of continued attacks. Through the Green Energy Recovery Programme, and with the support of a wide group of international donor partners, Ukraine and UNDP are implementing emergency stabilization measures, deploying decentralized energy solutions, and working on long-term reforms aimed at building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive energy system. 

The event gathered over 80 participants, including more than 20 high-level representatives from Member States and other international partners, signalling continued strong support for Ukraine’s efforts to repair, renew and reform its energy system, both to meet immediate needs and with a view to a long-term green and inclusive energy transition. 

Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, stressed that a transition to a green and decentralized energy system is a matter of national security. He noted that decentralization has strengthened Ukraine’s resilience and thanked the international donor partners and UNDP for mobilizing more than US$1 billion in support for Ukraine since the start of the war. 

The Deputy Minister of Energy for European Integration of Ukraine, Olha Yukhymchyk, presented measures implemented by the government, stressing that the crisis is an opportunity to build a decentralized and decarbonized energy system, in line with EU accession requirements.

Among the keynote speakers were representatives of some of the largest donors to Ukraine’s work through UNDP in the energy sector:

Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, stressed how Norway, as the number one energy provider in Europe, has taken on a leading role in supporting Ukraine’s energy sector. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, highlighted the importance of helping Ukraine to lay the foundation for a resilient, decentralized, and climate-neutral energy system, which also strengthened Ukraine’s path to EU accession. Jeppe Bruus, Minister of Green Transition of Denmark, pointed out that a green transition also meant greater energy independence for Ukraine. Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, stressed how EIB, in collaboration with the European Commission and UNDP, was investing in critical infrastructure to bridge urgent needs with long-term climate goals.

UNDP Acting Administrator, Haoliang Xu, acknowledged the bold and forward-looking energy recovery and green transition agenda launched by the government. He thanked all donors for the support, which made UNDP’s work in this sector possible. Finally, he emphasized that “Reliable energy is a critical ‘enabler’ of recovery and development. It restores basic services, keeps hospitals running, supports livelihoods, and drives long-term economic resilience”. 

The donors to the UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme in Ukraine, are Norway (US$315 million), Japan (US$106 million), Sweden (US$50 million) the European Union (US$20 million), EIB (US$20 million), Denmark (US$17 million), the Republic of Korea (US$16m), Belgium (US$10m), Iceland (US$4 million), Germany (US$4 million), and France (US$2 million). Thanks to the generous support of partners, UNDP has already mobilized US$565 million for Ukraine’s energy sector and delivered over US$270 million worth of energy projects.