Atomic, green energy, grid de-centralization to be priorities of Ukraine's post-crisis energy sector - deputy energy minister

MOSCOW. Jan 20 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian energy sector will focus its post-crisis development on the atomic and green energy generation and a de-centralized power grid, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister for European Integration Yaroslav Demchenkov said.

"The three chief priorities in the development of our energy system is the accelerated development of the atomic, green energy and the construction of a de-centralized power grid. These priorities will be the basis of our updated energy strategy for the upcoming decades," the Ukrainian media quoted Demchenkov as saying at a discussion at the Ukraine House on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.

In his words, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry is holding consultations with international partners on these issues.

"We are planning to stop using coal for power generation by 2040, while its role will be significantly reduced as early as after 2032. We are expecting the share of renewable energy in the energy balance to reach 25% in 2032 and to double by 2050," Demchenkov said, speaking of Ukraine's objectives.

In his words, the shift away from coal will be conducted simultaneously with the construction of new solar and wind generation facilities, alongside new thermal power plants to run on bio-fuel.

Ukraine is planning to build two nuclear reactors and to launch pilot projects of low-capacity reactors by 2032, he said.

This is the right time to discuss Ukraine's future energy projects with international partners and investors in order to accelerate the energy transition after the end of the crisis, Demchenkov said. He also said he believes that energy transition in Europe would be impossible without Ukraine.