Ukraine granted official status in ENTSO-E - energy minister

KYIV. April 26 (Interfax-Ukraine) - NPC Ukrenergo has received the status of an observer member of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), with an agreement on its granting having been signed in Warsaw on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said in a statement.

"This agreement brings Ukraine even closer to full integration with European power markets and determines our development for the future. [...] I am sure that this event is important not only for us, but also for Europe," Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko is quoted as saying in a statement.

As an observer member, the Ukrainian operator will be able to participate in meetings of the ENTSO-E Regional Group Continental Europe (RG CE). In particular, the company's representatives will be able to join in the ENTSO-E working and expert groups dealing with the development of the electricity market, balancing, auxiliary services, electronic data interchange, the development of cyber protection in the electricity sector, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources.

EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, President of ENTSO-E Herve Laffaye, Polish Secretary of State, Polish Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski, Polish Minister of Climate and Environment Anna Moskwa, Chair of the ENTSO-E Supervisory Board Joachim Vanzetta, ENTSO-E Secretary General Sonya Twohig, the management of NPC Ukrenergo, as well as the Polish transmission system operator PSE, attended the ceremony of granting Ukrenergo the status of an observer member, the ministry said.