G7+ Coordination Group holds meeting on support for Ukraine's energy sector
The meeting was chaired by Jeffrey Payette, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and Coordinator of the G7+ efforts to help Ukraine rebuild its energy infrastructure, and attended by Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement of the European Commission.
Among the participants were Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Rostyslav Shurma, Minister of Energy German Galushchenko, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, and Deputy Minister of Energy Yaroslav Demchenkov.
Minister Galushchenko briefed the participants on the current situation of the energy sector and results of the heating season.
"We have survived this winter, although we faced extraordinary challenges. We managed to maintain the integrity of the power system and prevent its collapse. I sincerely thank all partner countries for their support and assistance during this heating season, which played a critical role and helped us survive," minister said.
During the meeting, the participants also discussed topical issues related to Ukraine's preparation for the new heating season, supply of necessary energy equipment for repairs and restoration of damaged energy infrastructure facilities.
The minister told the participants about the current list of equipment and materials required for repairs and replenishment of stocks. He emphasized that one of the effective mechanisms for providing assistance is the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, established under the Energy Community Secretariat.
German Galushchenko emphasized that in preparation for the next Annual General Plan, Ukraine has also set a goal to decentralize electricity generation, which will strengthen the resilience of the energy system to war-related challenges.
The minister emphasized Ukraine's interest in participating in the EU platform for joint gas purchases and coordinating other measures to prepare for the next winter.