EU President Ursula von der Leyen has announced three new provisions to support Ukraine
First was a new delivery of generators, which brings to 800 the total number if generators provided by the bloc. The generators are part of a package of energy assistance channelled through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism which includes 40 new large generators from the rescEU reserve to provide uninterrupted power to 30 hospitals. The mechanism also provided 100 small and medium power generators from France, 19 generators from Slovakia, 23 generators from Germany, 252 transformers from Lithuania and four emergency power systems from Poland.
Von der Layen said the European Commission will mobilise around €30 million for the purchase of up to 30 million energy saving lightbulbs for Ukraine. In addition, she said the EU is also setting up a rescEU energy hub in Poland to facilitate the transport and warehousing of donations from third parties and help with their delivery to Ukraine.
Meanwhile the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) also announced a financing package of €370 million to support Ukraine’s electricity transmission company, Ukrenergo, in making swift emergency repairs to infrastructure and to keep the country’s energy system stable as winter sets in.
The EBRD is providing a sovereign guaranteed loan of €300 million. Up to €150 million is allocated for equipment procurement to implement emergency repairs to the Ukrainian power transmission system. This is complemented by a grant for up to €70 million provided by the Netherlands. A further €150 million consists of capital structure support.
“Urgent repairs on Ukraine’s electricity network is an immediate priority for the EBRD. The Ukrainian people and businesses need continued access to electricity to go through the winter. With this important financing, we will help Ukrenergo perform swift emergency repairs of damaged equipment, high voltage substations and transmission lines. It will ensure the continued provision of vital power transmission services during the heating season for Ukrainian households, businesses and communities,” said EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.
“We are working to commit the loan funds at the earliest opportunity, given that the winter season has already started and the stability of the country’s energy system is strategically important,” said Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone.