The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) have signed an agreement to formalise their cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen and to develop hydrogen supply chains.
“I am very pleased that the EBRD and GTSOU are cooperating to support each other’s activities regarding hydrogen. Ukraine relies heavily on fossil fuels across all sectors of its economy and hydrogen can represent a good alternative for decarbonisation, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Supporting the green transition of our economies is a key priority for the EBRD,” EBRD Managing Director for Green Economy and Climate Action Harry Boyd-Carpenter said.
CEO of GTSOU Sergiy Makogon said that the challenge of hydrogen therefore is to develop technology to scale up hydrogen use, to create the necessary conditions and infrastructure for its production, transportation and consumption.
“All this requires time, effort and cooperation by all stakeholders. We recognise the role of natural gas as one of the key energy sources and transition fuel on the path to carbon-free economy, which will remain significant for this transition period. As the operator of the gas transmission system, our task is now to prepare our infrastructure for the decarbonised energy markets of the future,” he said.
According to the report, the EBRD recently launched a study on the potential for developing different segments of the hydrogen supply chain across many of the economies where it invests, including Ukraine.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provide ProCredit Bank (Kyiv) with a four-year amortising senior unsecured loan of up to EUR 25 million equivalent for on-lending to eligible micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
According to the EBRD’s report to the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Friday, the agreement was signed by EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions Francis Malige and Board Chairman of ProCredit Bank Viktor Ponomarenko.
In addition to long-term financing, eligible sub-borrowers will receive technical assistance funded by the EU and grant support in the form of investment incentives upon the completion of their investment projects.
At least 70% of all financed sub-loans are expected to be compliant with EBRD Green Economy Transition (GET) approach.
ProCredit Bank was founded in 2001. Its only shareholder at the beginning of 2021 was ProCredit Holding (100% of shares).
According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of March 1, 2021, ProCredit Bank ranked 16th in terms of total assets (UAH 27.413 billion) among 73 banks operating in the country.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has improved its forecast for the economic growth in Ukraine in 2021 from 3% to 3.5%, according to its June forecast.
GDP is expected to grow by 3.5% in both 2021 and 2022, the EBRD said in its June regional economic prospects.
According to the report, the main risks are associated with the slow progress of reforms in the country and the relatively slow pace of vaccination, the bank’s analysts say.
Although the economy contracted 2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021 due to prolonged quarantine restrictions, there are indications that it is gradually returning to growth in the second quarter thanks to higher commodity prices, the EBRD said.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a EUR 10 million two-year committed local currency-denominated working capital loan to the Ukrainian electricity and gas supplier ERU Trading LLC.
As stated in a report of the bank, the decision was made by the board of directors on June 9.
“EBRD funds will be used to support growing gas trading operations of ERU Trading in order to secure low cost gas from EU during summer season and store it in Ukrainian gas storages with further sale in Ukraine,” the EBRD said.
According to EBRD, the proposed project supports a private, independent trader in competing with the dominant player, Naftogaz, in an increasingly liberalised market, and facilitates increased liquidity and competition on the private energy exchange UEEX following the MoU signed by the EBRD in July 2020.
The EBRD will become the first international financial institution in the existing loan portfolio of ERU Trading.
ERU Trading LLC, established in 2016, belongs to Yaroslav Mudry and Dale Perry. According to the information on the company’s website, gas supplies to the population are an important part of its strategy. In February of this year, the company received the license from the energy regulator.
EBRD, ELECTRICITY, GAS, LOAN
The state-owned Oschadbank (Kyiv) is preparing for a due diligence by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to prepare for a pre-privatization deal, Oschadbank CEO Serhiy Naumov has said.
“The bank is actively negotiating and preparing a pre-privatization deal with the EBRD. Currently, we are completing negotiations on signing a mandate letter and preparing for due diligence,” he told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.
According to Naumov, the bank expects that a bill that was registered in the parliament, aimed at joining Oschadbank to the Deposit Guarantee Fund, will be passed soon. The document will ensure the fulfillment of one of the important conditions for continuing successful cooperation with the EBRD.
As reported, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine in February 2018, as part of an updated strategy for reforming the public banking sector, planned to gradually include Oschadbank into the Deposit Guarantee Fund system. According to the memorandum with the IMF, concluded in December of the same year, the full state guarantee of deposits of individuals in Oschadbank was supposed to be canceled by the end of 2019. This step will open the way for the EBRD to enter the capital of Oschadbank.
Oschadbank was founded in 1991. Its sole owner is the state. According to the statistics of the National Bank, as of March 1, 2021, Oschadbank ranked second in terms of total assets (UAH 279.702 billion) among 73 banks operating in the country.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a EUR 20 million senior secured loan to Winner Imports Ukraine LLC, Ukrainian importer and retailer of several well-known international vehicle brands. The money will be invested in sustainable dealerships for Renault and Volvo.
As reported on the bank’s website on Tuesday, the loan was approved by the EBRD’s board of directors on May 18. Financing will focus on green economy transition and circular economy through investments in dealerships, expansion of client’s logistic capacities, distribution and service infrastructure for vehicles, including electric.
“All building financed by the Bank will obtain BREEAM or EDGE sustainable certification. Project contributes to the adoption of advanced green practices in a country where such standards and practices are still uncommon, for instance, according to the latest data, only 12 BREEAM certificates have been issued in Ukraine to date with only one certificate issued in the retail category,” the EBRD said.
The total cost of the project is EUR 43 million, but the sources of co-financing are not given.
Winner Imports Ukraine LLC, part of Winner Group, is the official importer of Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche and Bentley, SAIC Motor vehicles in Ukraine.
In addition, in 2020, the company became an official dealer of the Renault auto brand, since the spring of the same year it began to provide services for cars of this brand in its multi-brand center Winner Automotive, and has planned to open a Renault concept dealership this year.
Winner Group Ukraine has been operating in the Ukrainian market for over 28 years, during this time more than 140,000 cars have been sold and more than 50 dealer centers have been opened in Ukraine.
