Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, 1 April 2025 – The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have provided Zaporizhzhia with two cogeneration units.

The new equipment will significantly improve the reliability of the supply of heat and electricity to 50,000 residents and more than 100 infrastructure facilities, including schools and kindergartens.

While visiting Zaporizhzhia to inspect the results of EU-supported projects, Peter M. Wagner, Director of the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, emphasized the importance of the European Union’s support for Ukraine in building energy resilience: “One of the EU’s priorities is to support the development of decentralised energy solutions that allow communities to remain energy independent even in times of crisis,” Wagner said. “We are proud of the efforts of everyone who has already participated in this process. Every engineer, every worker and every family in Zaporizhzhia is contributing to a strong, sustainable future for Ukraine. We stand by them today and will continue to support them as the country rebuilds.”

Ivan Fedorov, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Region State Administration, thanked the European Union and UNDP for their support: “The equipment provided is a vital contribution to our ability to deal with the daily challenges faced by our energy sector,” Fedorov said. “The support from our international partners inspires us and gives us the strength to rebuild the city and provide our citizens with everything they need.”

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers added: “Energy security is not just about infrastructure, but also about people. Thanks to the EU, we’re helping to provide vital services such as heat and light in the most difficult conditions. We express our gratitude to the employees of the energy sector and other utilities who continue to work in extremely difficult conditions. UNDP is proud to have the trust of our international partners such as the European Union, and we appreciate the strong partnership with national and local partners – even in very difficult circumstances.”

Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have left millions without reliable electricity and heating, disrupting essential services and impacting daily life. The damage has also significantly reduced Ukraine's power generation capacity, threatening energy security and economic stability. A recent joint assessment by the World Bank, EU, UN, and the Government of Ukraine, the Fourth Rapid Needs and Damage Assessment, or RNDA4, estimates direct damage to buildings and infrastructure at EUR 170 billion as of December 2024, with the energy sector experiencing a 93% increase in damage since the previous assessment. According to RNDA4, total recovery and reconstruction needs over the next decade are projected to reach EUR 506 billion. Almost EUR 66 billion is needed for the reconstruction of the energy sector alone, underscoring the urgent need for continued international assistance to rebuild and modernize Ukraine's energy systems.

Under the “Crisis response for securing reliable energy access in Ukraine” project, which is being implemented by UNDP’s Green Energy Recovery Programme, the European Union is continuing to supply efficient, renewable energy to various cities across the country, strengthening their resilience.

Background:

The European Union and UNDP in Ukraine are collaborating closely to support Ukraine's energy sector recovery. This partnership combines EU's significant funding with UNDP's operational expertise on the ground to deliver critical equipment, technical assistance, and capacity building programmes aimed at building a resilient and sustainable energy future for Ukraine.

Media inquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org