Former MEP Harms praises Ukraine’s rapid energy transformation

The relevant statement was made by Rebecca Harms, a German politician who served as Member of the European Parliament from 2004 until 2019, in a commentary to Ukrinform.

According to Harms, now Ukraine treats the production, distribution and use of energy in a different way than before the war. In this regard, Ukraine is rapidly changing.

Harms mentioned that she often hears from Ukrainian officials and ordinary people that Ukraine’s centralized energy generation and supply system is vulnerable and weakens the state. This system should be decentralized, and the more energy can be generated locally, using photovoltaic panels, windmills or biomass, the better it will be.

The German representative noticed that Ukrainians are increasingly taking responsibility for their households and businesses, and they do not wait for someone to solve everything for them. In her opinion, the West, in particular Germany, should support Ukraine in this path.

With the second war-time winter approaching, the situation in Ukraine’s energy sector is remaining challenging. Last year Russia began attempts to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia NPP, and destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Russia is likely to continue its terrible attacks on energy infrastructure, but Ukraine is making preparations and is ready to overcome this, Harms added.

In her words, this time there is an awareness of the problem. Both the Ukrainian society and producers realize that power supply interruptions may occur, and they are taking relevant measures.

Meanwhile, Harms expressed concern over the nuclear power plants, which Russia had not only made military targets, but also uses them as platforms for conducting hostilities and shielding its positions. The aggressor may also resort to provocations there.

Harms believes that strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses is the only solution here. All nuclear power plants must be protected, and the Ukrainian sky over them must be closed.