Ukraine plans to return to the 54 GW of installed power generation capacity it had before 2014. Deputy Energy Minister Hanna Lihun announced this at the United by Mining forum.
“Ukraine is building a new energy sector adapted to the challenges of the 21st century. Our strategic ambition is to return to the 54 GW of installed capacity we had before 2014. Nuclear power should account for 50%, renewable energy sources for 30%, and new gas-fired generation and thermal power for 20%,” she said.
According to Lihun, natural gas will play a distinct role in this system, helping to balance it, providing backup and ensuring flexible generation.
She stressed that distributed generation is becoming an architectural principle of the future system, rather than a temporary wartime solution.
“The concept of ‘energy cells’ envisages clusters capable of maintaining basic functions even when central networks are damaged. Developing gas capacity, underground gas storage, domestic production and routes to Central Europe are among the priorities of the updated energy strategy,” she said.
Private extraction businesses will play a special role in shaping the new energy sector, the deputy minister noted.
“The state sets the rules, ensures access to resources, protects investment and supports integration with the European market. Businesses bring the capital and technologies needed to implement projects,” Lihun added.
She emphasised that Ukraine’s energy independence does not mean abandoning the European market.
“On the contrary, it means Ukraine’s ability to enter that market with its own resources, infrastructure and competitive energy sector,” she concluded.
At the end of summer 2026, Ukraine’s power system had 15 GW of available generating capacity.
Discussion