Ukrenergo's Board at a meeting with Shmyhal (Photo: Press service of the Ministry of Energy)

Ukraine will step up the development of electricity transmission lines running from the country’s western regions to the east, First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said following a meeting with the management of Ukrenergo.

According to Shmyhal, the company’s top priority is to expand its technical capacity to import electricity into Ukraine.

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"We expect rapid progress in developing cross-border interconnectors along Ukraine’s borders with the EU," he said.

Another key priority is strengthening the domestic grid to enable electricity flows from western Ukraine to the eastern regions. Shmyhal said this would ensure more efficient use of both domestically generated and imported power where demand is highest. The plan includes repairs as well as construction of new high-voltage lines, which should help reduce the duration of outages in the most affected areas.

Additional tasks involve simplifying procedures for connecting distributed generation, including cogeneration units and high-capacity backup generators. The power system must be able to quickly bring alternative sources online, particularly in energy-deficit regions, Shmyhal noted.

The parties also discussed rapid repair and restoration of grid infrastructure in frontline areas in cooperation with the State Special Transport Service, as well as protecting substations with physical shelters and electronic warfare (EW) and air defense (AD) systems.

"Every megawatt matters for Ukraine’s power system," Shmyhal emphasized, referring both to restoring facilities damaged by Russian strikes and commissioning new generation capacity.

  • Due to ongoing attacks and extreme cold, Ukraine’s energy system is operating under significant shortages. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that as of January 15 only 11 GW of electricity generation was available against demand of 18 GW.
  • In Ukraine’s left-bank regions, the situation is further complicated by the destruction or occupation of all major power plants by Russian forces.