Ukraine fully synchronizes its energy system with European countries

Ukraine continues integrating further into European standards, particularly in its energy sector. Such cooperation will contribute to the stability and security of Ukraine’s energy system in view of possible Russian air attacks, as well as increase the capacity limit of the Ukrainian power grid in total.

On November 28, 2023, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) decided to transfer Ukraine to a permanent interconnection with the European energy system. It became possible after the national power company Ukrenergo had achieved compliance with the key technical requirements.

The ‘Synchronization project’ with Ukrenergo was initiated in 2017, with the signing of the Agreement on Conditions for the Future Interconnection of Ukraine’s power system with the Continental Europe power system. Since then, Ukrenergo has made extraordinary efforts, in particular amidst Russia’s full-scale invasion and the following energy terror, to achieve full compliance with the operational rules of the ENTSO-E.

“ENTSO-E welcomes the new level of cooperation between the Continental European TSOs and Ukrenergo. This development not only enhances regional energy security, but also promotes a more integrated and efficient energy market. It also underlines our ongoing efforts to ensure a resilient and integrated electricity network and to foster cooperation among European TSOs,” commented ENTSO-E President Zbyněk Boldiš.

In addition, the Continental European TSOs decided to increase the capacity limit for electricity trade from Continental Europe to Ukraine and Moldova to 1,700 megawatts. Such a decision was adopted based on system security and stability simulations in these countries, reflecting an increase of 500 MW from the previous limit.

“We greatly appreciate today’s decision, and I’m sure that this achievement will help to significantly increase the flexibility and reliability of our grid operation and create conditions for expanding cooperation. This is the result of many years of persistent work, which has been particularly challenging since the outbreak of [Russia’s – ed.] full-scale war. We are grateful to ENTSO-E for its continued support and trust throughout this process,” stated Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of the NPC Ukrenergo.

Kudrytskyi also added that synchronizing Ukrainian and European energy systems significantly contributes to the “stability of the energy system of Ukraine during cold weather and possible enemy attacks on energy facilities”.

As reported earlier, throughout the autumn and winter of 2022/2023, Russian forces launched numerous missile and drone attacks on energy facilities across Ukraine, intending to cause a complete blackout. Despite this, Ukraine managed to partially restore its energy capabilities and even resume electricity export in warmer months. Currently, work is ongoing to rebuild the damaged critical infrastructure, as well as to prepare new means of protection for Ukrainian energy objects.