Meeting in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting on the energy implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU Energy Ministers expressed, on Monday 28 February, broad support for the European Commission’s proposal to synchronise the Ukrainian electricity grid with the European grid as soon as possible.
This synchronisation, a long-standing project, has become urgent due to the risks posed by the current situation in the Ukrainian energy system.
“To be able to defend itself and allow its population to face the Russian invasion while ensuring its basic needs, Ukraine needs energy”, stressed the French Minister for Ecological Transition and Chair of the meeting, Barbara Pompili.
This synchronisation is a tangible action to support Ukraine to ensure that electricity stays on in the country, even if Russia strikes key infrastructure, explained the EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson.
A “technical challenge”
At present, the Ukrainian electricity grid is operating autonomously, after Kyiv conducted an “isolation mode test” the same day as the Russian invasion, with the aim of eventually synchronising Ukraine and Moldova’s grids with the European one.
Once this test was completed, Ukraine was supposed to reconnect its network to Russia. The Russian invasion nevertheless led it to request emergency synchronisation with the European grid.
Noting a “broad agreement” among Member States’ Energy Ministers to move in this direction, Ms Simson announced that the process would be accelerated.
“We will move forward with ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators) to connect Ukraine’s electricity system as quickly as possible. This step would also link Moldova to the EU grid”, she stressed.
She went on to say that this synchronisation is a “technical challenge” that could take several days or even weeks to avoid disruption to the EU grid.
Ms Pompili added: “We need the grid operators to agree among themselves to make this connection, but the political will is clear: we must be able to help Ukraine”.
According to her, more work is needed by grid operators to assess the risks of such synchronisation, but also the needs of Ukraine to connect and avoid a blackout.
Gas deliveries
In addition to the synchronisation of electricity grids, other actions are planned in the energy field to support Ukraine.
The Commissioner assured that the EU continues to work on the delivery of gas to Ukraine through reverse flows (from west to east).
While the physical reverse flow capacity between Slovakia and Ukraine has been increased, discussions are underway to extend it to the next heating seasons.
In addition, the first such deliveries from Hungary took place this winter.
Ms Simson also presented the ministers with a list of urgent energy needs provided by Ukraine, covering items such as diesel, petrol, kerosene and generators.
Concrete deliveries are already planned from Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, while many other Member States have pledged their support, the Commissioner welcomed.
The EU is safe this winter
In addition to energy assistance to Ukraine, the ministers also discussed the resilience of the EU’s energy system.
In this regard, Ms Simson reaffirmed the Union’s ability to deal with any eventuality, including a halt in Russian gas supplies (see EUROPE 12898/10).
“It is our current assessment that the EU can get through this winter safely”, she said, noting that the EU’s gas stocks remain fairly stable, but lower than in previous years.
Currently at around 30% of total capacity, these stocks will reach an “exceptionally low” level by the end of the winter (18% in April, according to the Commission’s forecasts).
Ms Simson therefore called for vigilance, not ruling out retaliatory energy measures from Moscow.
The Commission says it wants Member States to assess how to collectively ensure a certain level of gas storage in their region and to conclude without delay the solidarity agreements with their neighbours that are currently pending.
On liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Commissioner said that LNG imports are approaching 10 bcm per month, the highest level ever achieved by the EU.
In order to strengthen coordination at EU level to maximise the use of LNG infrastructure and ensure that gas gets to where it is most needed, the Commission will set up a platform and contact groups with Member States and relevant LNG operators.
In addition, it should be noted that the Commission will soon present guidelines to ensure affordable energy and sufficient storage.
Initially scheduled for 2 March, this communication has been postponed until next week. See the summary of the meeting by the French Presidency of the EU Council: https://aeur.eu/f/jy (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)