Ukrainian wind farms have already suffered more than EUR 50 million worth of losses due to the Russian invaders causing damage and destruction to them and stealing equipment. Additionally, over EUR 500 million was lost due to forced downtime. The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister for European Integration Yaroslav Demchenkov.
“As of February 24, 2022, the total installed capacity of Ukrainian wind farms (excluding the temporarily occupied Donbas and Crimea) was 1.67 gigawatts. In fact, it was like two nuclear power units. But, the war started. Nearly all wind farms in such regions as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv had ended up in the frontline or occupied zone since the first days. According to the preliminary estimates, wind farms suffered losses worth more than EUR 50 million due to the equipment being destroyed, damaged or stolen. Additionally, over EUR 500 million was lost due to forced downtime,” Demchenkov noted.
In his words, 80% of Ukraine’s wind power generation facilities are now taken out of service or seized by the enemy. Construction projects for 11 land-based wind farms with a total capacity of about 1 gigawatt have been suspended due to the war.
According to Demchenkov, renewable energy development can significantly change the economic landscape in post-war southern Ukraine, as well as strengthen the economic security of Ukraine and Europe as a whole.
A reminder that, with the start of the Russian full-scale invasion, Ukraine lost about 90% of wind farms and over 40% of solar power plants, Ukrinform reports.
