Will Ukraine have a solar energy Marshall Plan?

Campaigners are calling for a solar energy Marshall Plan ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin next week. Ukraine could install five times more solar energy capacity than the government’s current plan, according to a new study.

Can solar power plants help Ukrainian society?

“Solar power plants can help Ukrainian society,” Sokolovskyi says, by giving energy independence to private citizens and businesses. Moreover, support for critical infrastructure like hospitals, clinics and schools – the kind of work Semenyshyn’s Repower Ukraine does – often comes from PV and energy storage combined.

Why does Ukraine need solar energy?

Half of the country’s hydropower plants have been destroyed or damaged, and almost half of its nuclear reactors are permanently offline due to the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. “ Solar energy is key to rebuilding Ukraine’s energy supply because it can be deployed easily, cheaply, and quickly,” explains Böhling.

Where does Ukraine's solar power come from?

Over 40% of Ukraine’s pre-2022 RES in solar PV and wind power currently lies in occupied territory. Wind generation capacity, once concentrated in the now occupied regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, has been especially hard hit.

How much solar power does Ukraine have in 2024?

Figures from the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine (SEAU) earlier this year showed that the country added around 850MW of solar PV capacity in 2024, the majority of which came from self-consumption systems installed by businesses. It’s “become a trend”, Semenyshyn says.

Does Ukraine need a long-term energy system?

More than ever, Ukraine needs support to transition towards a long-term energy system that is resilient, flexible and secure. The EU has the expertise, the ability and the will to help make that happen. Ukraine's energy systems have suffered significant damage since the full-scale invasion of 2022.