Deal Signed Between Italy and the Energy Community Secretariat
Italy and the Energy Community Secretariat have formalized an agreement to contribute €10 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund. This brings Italy’s total contributions to the fund to €23 million. Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Rome had already provided €13 million prior to this latest pledge.
The signing ceremony involved Italy’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa, and the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski. Shmyhal emphasized that this new funding represents a significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s energy sector and advancing its integration into the EU energy market.
“Today, Italy’s Ambassador to Ukraine Carlo Formosa and Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski signed the corresponding agreement for the partners’ new contribution. Before this, Italy had already allocated €13 million to the Energy Support Fund,” the minister stated.
Looking Ahead
Investment opportunities are set to be unveiled at the URC conference in Gdańsk this June. Notably, on April 2, a meeting was held to review the implementation of resilience plans for regions and cities, which were coordinated and approved at the level of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. The Cabinet of Ministers has earmarked 12.85 billion hryvnias for these plans, with funds directed toward protecting critical infrastructure—including 209 facilities in frontline regions and the Kyiv area.
Ukraine’s overall needs for restoring and modernizing its energy sector over the next decade are estimated at $90.6 billion—a 34% increase from the previous damage assessment. Denys Shmyhal also noted that “we have agreed to jointly develop mechanisms to reduce and insure war risks for such investments. Together with international partners, we continue to restore and strengthen Ukraine’s energy system.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the importance of executing the resilience plans:
“Resilience plans have been approved for every region across the country. Road repairs after winter are also ongoing. It is crucial at the community and regional government levels not to waste time. Every facility that matters must be protected.”
This agreement between Italy and the Energy Community Secretariat highlights the critical role of international support for Ukraine amid the energy crisis triggered by the armed conflict. Contributions to the Energy Support Fund are part of a broader strategy to restore the country’s energy infrastructure and align it with the European energy framework. Medium-term plans, which involve attracting investments and carrying out modernization, reflect Ukraine’s active efforts to rebuild its energy sector—a vital step for ensuring stability and national development.
As Ukraine continues to bolster its energy resilience, the recent allocation of €10 million from Italy underscores the collaborative efforts in this crucial sector. In addition to international support, the Ukrainian government has also committed substantial funds to enhance energy security, further emphasizing the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing the nation's energy needs.