Ukraine will introduce a Strategic Energy Reserve, which is being created within the framework of the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine. This was announced by Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal after negotiations in Brussels.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Funding and Purpose of the Reserve
The available budget for the Strategic Reserve currently stands at 197 million euros. This tool will enable Ukrainian energy companies to equip themselves with the necessary equipment in preparation for the new heating season and to utilize the accumulated reserves for repair work if needed.
“The available budget of the Reserve currently amounts to 197 million euros. Thanks to this mechanism, Ukrainian companies will be able to accumulate energy equipment by next winter and then, if necessary, use the accumulated reserves for repairs,” he explained.
Preparation for Winter and International Support
The minister noted that the government, together with international partners, has identified Ukraine’s financial needs for preparation for the upcoming winter. The total required funding is estimated at 5.4 billion euros, and work is ongoing to fully secure this amount.
During the visit to Brussels, the Ukrainian delegation held negotiations with representatives of the European Commission, including the head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell, and Commissioners Marta Kos and Dan Jørgensen, as well as representatives from individual countries. Issues related to the restoration and protection of energy facilities, the supply of equipment for repairs, and sanctions against Russian energy resources were discussed.
Denys Shmyhal emphasized that donor contributions to the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine have already exceeded 1.87 billion euros. He expressed gratitude to the European Commission, the countries participating in the “Energy Ramstein,” the Secretariat of the Energy Community, and all donors to the fund.
Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, the Russian Federation has regularly attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Since the fall of 2025, the intensity of shelling has significantly increased, leading to substantial losses in energy production capacity.
According to the UN, as of January 2026, Ukraine has lost more than half of its pre-war electricity production capacity. The country currently has only 11 GW of generation, which is significantly less than the required 18 GW during peak winter loads. This capacity deficit has caused prolonged power outages in many regions.