Kyiv, 23 April 2025 – Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden, during an official visit to Kyiv underscored Sweden's commitment to supporting Ukraine's energy sector in the face of a severe crisis caused by the war.   

During his visit, Dousa highlighted the strategic importance of long-term support for Ukraine’s energy resilience. “Strengthening energy resilience at the local level is an important part of our support,” Dousa said. “The development of decentralized solutions that allow communities to maintain access to basic services even in emergency conditions is an investment in the future. Sweden remains a committed partner in supporting Ukraine's aspirations for energy independence and resilience. Access to electricity, heat and water is not a luxury, but a basic right for everyone.”   

Petro Panteleev, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, emphasized the importance of international support in ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the capital’s critical infrastructure:

“Massive attacks have severely damaged the energy system in the Kyiv region, putting critical infrastructure that provides heating, water, and sanitation for millions at risk,” Panteleev said. “Thanks to the support of international partners and UNDP, we have received equipment that will allow us to power key facilities even in the event of a complete blackout. This is more than technical assistance — it is a contribution to protecting the lives, dignity, and resilience of our communities.”

The Government of Sweden is providing substantial support to Ukraine’s energy sector, including over U.S. $43 million in funding through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine. This funding is enabling the provision of critical energy equipment to Kyiv Oblast, and the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and other heavily affected communities. The equipment is helping to secure heat and electricity supplies for more than 2.5 million people and bolster overall energy resilience.   

In addition to providing technical support, Sweden is also contributing to the reform of the energy sector's legal framework. The UNDP’s Ukraine Green Energy Recovery Programme, funded by Sweden, supported the drafting of Law No. 9381, which aims to simplify regulatory procedures and create favourable conditions for investment in decentralized energy. UNDP also provides legal expertise in drafting the Law of Ukraine “On Green Recovery,” ensuring alignment with international climate commitments.   

Christophoros Politis, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine, acknowledged the importance of Sweden's support. “Thanks to the support of our partners, in particular Sweden, we were able to respond quickly to the challenges posed by the destruction of energy infrastructure,” Politis said. “Energy security is critical to protecting the lives and well-being of citizens. Together, we are not only restoring the infrastructure, but also laying the groundwork for Ukraine's future sustainable energy system.”   

Sweden's commitment is crucial as the recovery and reconstruction needs in Ukraine's energy sector are immense. According to the fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report (RDNA4), the overall recovery and reconstruction needs in Ukraine are estimated at over $524 billion over the next ten years, with the energy sector's reconstruction needs alone estimated at $67.78 billion as of December 2024.   

Sweden's contribution through UNDP is a vital part of the international effort to rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector. This support aligns with Sweden's long-term vision for Ukraine's development, emphasizing sustainable solutions and resilience-building.   

Background:

Sweden is a longstanding and committed partner of UNDP, and one of the UN agency’s top core contributors. Sweden plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine's recovery and resilience within a wide range of areas of work, including: mine action, green energy transformation, digital services, assessing environmental damage, sustainable recovery, good governance, and digital transformation of waste management.

Media inquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader
yuliia.samus@undp.org