Ukraine's Energy Balance Turns Positive in July
Electricity supplied from Ukraine outpaced what the country brought in during July 2023, according to ExPro Electricity data. Exports climbed 48% month-on-month to more than 232,000 MWh, while imports fell 40% to 175,000 MWh. That left the national grid with a surplus, a sign of improving generation stability. The turnaround is especially notable given the continued pressure on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
A key highlight was the return of electricity exports to Poland, the first time that route had been used since November 2025. Deliveries to Slovakia saw the biggest jump, nearly six times greater than the previous month. Hungary remained the top buyer, receiving 48% of total exports. As experts note:
“Slovakia posted the sharpest rise—almost sixfold month-on-month. July also saw the first power shipments to Poland since November 2025, while Hungary still took the largest share at 48% of the overall volume.”
Reduced Dependence on Imported Electricity
Although July 2023 exports were 18% below the same month a year earlier, the import trend shows Ukraine's shrinking reliance on foreign electricity. Romania, suffering from drought and low Danube water levels, began purchasing Ukrainian power via Moldova—another indication that Ukraine's role in the regional energy market is growing.
Romania's power shortage forced emergency action: its military conducted controlled detonations on the Danube's banks to divert water into the cooling reservoirs of the Cernavoda nuclear plant, the only atomic power station in the country. A reactor unit at the plant had been taken offline due to the electricity deficit. The demolition work was carried out in stages because the rock turned out to be harder than expected.
For Ukraine, July 2023 was a landmark month, demonstrating both strong export capacity and a reduced need for imported power.
These gains could have positive ripple effects on the Ukrainian economy, helping to attract investment and strengthen cooperation with neighboring nations. In an era of pressing energy-security concerns, such results show how Ukraine's power system is adapting to new realities—and could enhance the country's international standing.