29 November 2022

As a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its attacks on critical infrastructure, emergency energy equipment donations are urgently needed to support Ukraine’s energy sector.

Ukrainian companies lack equipment, fuel, tools and materials to repair damaged infrastructure, while the country approaches a winter at war with shortages of essential utilities. Figures from Energy Community reveal that 950,000 people are without electricity and 600,000 households have no access to gas or district heating services, along with 250,000 households lacking proper water supply.

Consequently, a number of calls for donations have been launched to show solidarity and offer support to those in need.

The Energy Community Secretariat’s Ukraine Support Task Force

During the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) Conference and Mayors Forum earlier in November, Valentina Superti, Director of Tourism & Proximity at DG-GROW, European Commission, called on cities to support Ukraine’s survival for the winter via this important programme.

To ensure the continued functioning of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the Energy Community Secretariat’s Ukraine Support Task Force (USTF) calls governments, private companies and associations, not only from the energy sector but also from the manufacturing and automotive industries, to intensify donations of energy equipment, materials and fuels.

Thanks to coordination between the USTF, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, donors and Ukrainian authorities are assisted throughout the entire donation process. As emphasised by Valentina Superti during the ICC Conference and Mayors Forum, part of this assistance includes arranging the transportation of donated items with no cost.

Countries, companies or associations interested in donating can contact the Energy Community Secretariat’s Ukraine Support Task Force (USTF) at UkraineEmergencySupport@energy-community.org for the current list of most urgent needs and assistance in the donation process.

“Generators of Hope”

Presented on November 23, the “Generators of Hope” initiative also aims to helping Ukrainians overcome the harsh winter ahead.

The campaign was launched by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence and President of Eurocities, to join in the efforts to deliver emergency energy equipment. At the launch press conference, which was also attended by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, cities were called upon to donate power generators and transformers in order to help keep essential facilities running and provide energy to schools, hospitals, water supply facilities, relief centres and more.

More detail on the initiative will be provided at the annual Eurocities Cooperation Platform this week. You can follow Eurocities’ page for more information.

The ICC extends the European Commission’s appreciation of any support that cities can offer towards these initiatives.