The EU continues to provide support ahead of the winter season and is studying the situation in Chernihiv to help the city tackle the blackout caused by the consistent Russian attacks.
That’s according to EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova, who gave an exclusive comment to Ukrinform.
“We have been consistently supporting the energy system of Ukraine by now to the tune of around EUR 3 billion. And it’s not something that starts now. We started preparing for this winter already at the end of last heating season, so it’s a continuum,” Mathernova said.
She detailed the main areas of support when it comes to the energy sector.
One of these tracks is support through the connection of Ukraine and Moldova to the continental grid with a daily capacity of 2.1 gigawatts flow.
“Second, we support purchasing of gas. We recently gave guarantees to the EBRD and the EIB in the amount of EUR 800 million, to buy gas,” the ambassador said.
Also, the EU supports the delivery of machinery, compressors, substations and other technical things that are needed for the repairs on electricity, grids and gas distribution and production, which is being done through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
“My favorite example is that this year, we brought an entire thermal power plant from Vilnius. They took it apart piece by piece, and we brought it here piece by piece, and now it’s being used,” the EU delegation chief said.
Besides, the European Union is engaged in emergency repairs for the big energy companies, both state and private owned, “to keep the heat going.”
The final area is humanitarian support, the ambassador said.
“We have a new package for this winter, [worth EUR] 40 million, launched a few weeks ago to help emergency support. I assume my colleagues are en route to Chernihiv to see how to help with the major blackout and stoppage of water after last night’s attacks,” Mathernova said.
On October 20, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the EU aims to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and will appeal to third countries to provide equipment for repairing facilities damaged by Russian attacks and to increase gas supplies.
On October 20, Russian forces struck energy infrastructure in the Chernihiv region, cutting power to Chernihiv and much of the surrounding area. The city of Slavutych, administratively part of the Kyiv region, was also left without electricity.
According to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, Russian forces are deliberately launching drones that continuously circle over damaged sites in the Chernihiv region, preventing repair crews from beginning restoration work.
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