European power transmission companies have agreed to establish a permanent interconnection with Ukraine’s power network, a move welcomed by Kyiv for enhancing sustainability and protecting infrastructure against potential Russian attacks.
ENTSO-E, the body representing transmission companies in Europe, announced that Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo, had achieved compliance with key technical requirements for permanent interconnection.
Following Russia’s military actions in 2022, systematic attacks were launched on Ukrainian power stations and energy facilities, leading to widespread power outages. The decision to make the synchronisation permanent is considered a significant contribution to the stability of Ukraine’s energy system, especially in the face of potential security threats according to Reuters.
The decision also includes an increase in the capacity limit for electricity trade with Ukraine and Moldova to 1,700 megawatts, a 500 MW increase. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hailed the decision as an expansion of energy opportunities and a measure against potential threats.
The head of Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, emphasized that the decision contributes to the stability of Ukraine’s energy system during cold weather and potential attacks on energy infrastructure.
The move marks the completion of a synchronisation project initiated in 2017, indicating Ukraine’s alignment with the broader European power system and dispelling any notion of incompatibility due to its Soviet legacy.
