During his working visit to the Kharkiv region, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal took part in the Forum of Frontline Cities and Communities. In his remarks, he outlined the measures implemented by the Government and the Ministry of Energy to support communities throughout the heating season and to build capacity for long-term modernization.
Denys Shmyhal highlighted both completed and ongoing initiatives, including:
- Additional remuneration for energy sector workers. More than 50,000 energy and heating sector employees involved in repair and restoration works are receiving additional payments. The Government has introduced a monthly supplement of UAH 20,000 for January, February, and March.
- Increased electricity imports. Ukraine has reached record levels of electricity imports from Europe to help balance the power system during peak demand.
- International assistance. More than 30 countries are supporting Ukraine this winter by providing generators, transformers, cogeneration units, and other critical equipment. Local authorities are tasked with ensuring the rapid installation and commissioning of this equipment.
- Support programmes for households and businesses. These include incentives for installing additional generation capacity, such as the SvitloDIM programme and preferential loans for private households to deploy alternative energy sources.
- An experimental project to construct protective structures for critical infrastructure in frontline areas.
Denys Shmyhal noted that the Government has allocated UAH 6 billion to regional state administrations for the construction of protective structures covering 93 critical elements at 84 energy facilities. In addition, more than UAH 2.5 billion has been earmarked for the procurement of high-capacity generators for frontline communities.
The Minister emphasized that the focus must extend beyond short-term crisis response to long-term resilience, highlighting key priorities:
- Decentralization as a new standard, including the development of cogeneration for heat and electricity, deployment of solar power plants where economically viable, and the creation of energy storage capacity.
- An “energy shield” for frontline communities, ensuring that critical facilities can operate autonomously in emergency conditions.
- European integration and international cooperation. Communities have significant potential to cooperate directly with foreign partners and international organizations.
Denys Shmyhal also underscored the importance of sustained community investment in housing and communal services.
“All communities must allocate more resources in their budgets for the renewal of networks and systems,” he stressed.
He further emphasized the need to invest in human capital, particularly vocational education, and to actively involve businesses in this process. The Minister expressed his gratitude to energy workers, utility personnel, and rescuers for their continuous efforts.
“I am grateful to everyone who is restoring light and heat today. I thank energy workers, utility workers, and rescuers for keeping frontline communities functioning. Services continue to operate, networks are being restored, and businesses are working. This is possible thanks to the people who stay in their places and do not give up,” Denys Shmyhal said.
