Senior energy official outlines Ukraine's new power generation needs

Ukraine's power grid will need around 9.5 GW of new generation capacity in the near future. Effective cooperation between the government and businesses will be essential to get the power plants built as quickly as possible.

Source: Vitalii Zaichenko, Head of Management Board of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned electricity transmission operator, during a meeting with entrepreneurs at the CEO Club session

Quote: "We are looking at highly flexible gas generation, biofuel-fired thermal power plants, energy storage facilities and green generation."

Details: Zaichenko also said that each region needs a separate "mix" depending on its geographical conditions and the ability to transmit electricity from nuclear power plants.

"Some regions have more sun and wind, while in others it makes more sense to focus on gas-fired piston and gas turbine installations. The state's task now is to create the conditions to attract investment for building these power plants. The estimated cost of such construction exceeds €8 billion," he explained.

Zaichenko cited long-term special auctions for ancillary services as an example of effective collaboration between the government and businesses in the energy sector.

Thanks to four special auctions held between 2004 and 2025, 464 MW of entirely new, highly flexible generation has been added to Ukraine's power system, providing crucial support during peak load periods.

Background: Zaichenko reported in late January that an acute capacity deficit emerged in Ukraine's power system, and at that time, it was impossible to cover it with existing generation and electricity imports.

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