Germany to provide almost €200 million to restore, protect Ukrainian energy facilities

This was discussed at a meeting between Svenja Schulze, head of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, and Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, the press service of the German ministry reports.

"Heat and electricity are key to the resilience of people in Ukraine, especially in view of the coming winter. That is why we are increasing our support for Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. The Ukrainian government has committed to a reconstruction programme that will make the country more resilient and bring it closer to the European Union. We will actively support them in this," Schulze said.

Half of the above amount should be used to protect the energy infrastructure before the onset of winter, to restore Ukraine's war-damaged energy system and at the same time to ensure the use of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. Ukrenergo will be the administrator of the funds.

The other half of the funds will be used to strengthen Ukrainian companies.

• Last November, Germany provided EUR 56 million for the repair of power equipment.

• On 12 October, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that Ukraine had prepared for possible blackouts in the winter, and that no long power cuts were expected.