A leading international energy organization coordinating efforts to help Ukraine’s energy grid withstand repeated Russian strikes has urged European energy companies to donate more essential equipment.
Energy Community told CNN it has coordinated donations of specialized equipment since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, helping to repair damage to critical infrastructure deliberately targeted by Russian forces.
“This month, seven energy equipment shipments coordinated by the Secretariat in cooperation with the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Center (ERCC) have reached Ukraine,” said Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.
“This includes much needed tools, fuses, welding electrodes, elcometers, generators and other electricity and gas equipment donated by companies from Estonia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia and Lithuania.”
Since the start of the war 37 shipments from 20 countries have been delivered to Ukraine, the statement said, with 47 more deliveries planned.
“Items that cannot be delivered will be procured via the Ukraine Energy Support Fund,” said Lorkowski. “The first procurement of equipment is near finalization and the emergency equipment is expected to be delivered to Ukraine shortly.”
On Wednesday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that six million Ukrainians were without electricity, describing the situation as “very difficult.”
“Energy workers and utility workers, all our services are doing everything to stabilize the system and give people more energy for longer,” added Zelensky.
And on Thursday morning heavy Russian shelling left the recently liberated city of Kherson in southern Ukraine without power, according to Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the Kherson region military administration.
The request for more equipment came after NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that foreign ministers are going to step up “non-lethal support” to Ukraine, including fuel, medical supplies, winter equipment and drone jammers.
