On behalf of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Italy has allocated EUR 13 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine.
“At a time when attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are intensifying, this decision is an important step in efforts to restore energy systems damaged by the conflict. Italy’s contribution – one of the largest for a single country – will help stabilize the supply of electricity to millions of war-affected Ukrainians in this difficult time,” the Italian Foreign Ministry said on its website.
It is noted that with this contribution, Italy confirms its continued support for the resilience of Ukraine’s energy sector, in particular in connection with the conference on Ukraine’s recovery to be held in Rome next July.
Norway, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has committed a total of NOK 1.1 billion ($105 million) in financial support to rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, build backup capacity and accelerate Ukraine’s transition to a more diversified and sustainable energy mix.
“This partnership will ensure the restoration of energy generating capacity in Ukraine, providing direct support to important regions of Ukraine. This contribution will significantly mitigate the impact of the ongoing shelling of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. As part of this enhanced partnership, solar panels will be installed to provide backup power to schools and hospitals, and a recent agreement will provide an additional 80 MW of power to the national grid this winter,” the UN press service reports.
It is noted that thanks to the UNDP Energy Recovery Program, the provision of heat and water will meet the needs of more than a million people and industrial consumers.
“Russia’s constant attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have led to an urgent need to increase electricity production. There is a shortage of this type of equipment on the market. Therefore, the agreement with UNDP is very important to support Ukraine this winter,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a government press release.
The production, transportation and installation of energy equipment are complex and risky processes that are carried out by reliable partners, as this is vital assistance that will enable Ukraine to survive the coming winter.
“We are committed to supporting Ukraine in its efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system by restoring critical energy infrastructure and generation capacity, and advancing strategic initiatives to accelerate the transition to green energy. We are committed to supporting Ukraine in its efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system. Rehabilitating critical energy infrastructure is essential as people living in multi-storey buildings in major cities have no alternative means of heating and water supply. UNDP’s Renewable Energy Program, through which we are supporting Ukraine’s energy recovery, is a testament to our commitment to promoting green recovery and energy security for all Ukrainians. We are grateful to our partners for their continued support,” said UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Silje.
France will provide Ukraine with at least EUR60 million by the end of this year, according to Pierre Elbrun, the French President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine’s Relief and Recovery.
“As winter approaches, the situation is becoming critical – we must act now to quickly offer concrete energy solutions,” he wrote on social media X following a meeting of the G7+ Ministerial Group on Energy Support to Ukraine at the level of foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Monday evening.
At the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that the G7+ countries have mobilized more than $4 billion to support Ukraine’s energy sector since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In a statement following the G7+ ministerial meeting, the countries welcome further commitments of funding and in-kind support to cover the most urgent needs of the Ukrainian energy sector, including repairing damaged power plants and district heating systems, deploying new, distributed energy sources, emergency backup power for critical services, and passive protection of energy infrastructure.
Croatia will provide another EUR 5 million for the Ukrainian energy sector, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said following a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
“Mr. Plenkovic announced a new package of military assistance and another EUR 5 million for the Ukrainian energy sector. Ukraine highly appreciates all the assistance provided by Croatia. Thank you for supporting our country in all spheres,” Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.
In addition, he said that the countries had signed two documents in the field of education and justice, which will contribute to Ukraine’s further European integration.
Among other things, the prime minister said that on Wednesday, the Croatian demining company DOK-ING opened its representative office in Ukraine.
The Asian Development Bank has approved two loans to Uzbekistan totaling $400 million to implement large-scale reforms in the energy sector aimed at improving its efficiency and competitiveness, as well as developing the country’s financial markets.
ADB’s Director General for Central and West Asia, Evgeny Zhukov, said that the reforms supported by these programs will help create an enabling environment for regulators and companies to play their part in stimulating development by creating reliable domestic financial markets and meeting energy needs while fighting climate change.
ADB will provide $300 million to reform Uzbekistan’s energy sector, including creating a more effective governance structure, improving legislation, and attracting private investment.
To develop Uzbekistan’s financial market, ADB will provide $100 million to implement regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at improving market conditions to optimize financial transactions and services, and to increase supply and demand side measures to grow capital markets.
Uzbekistan joined ADB in 1995, and since then, the bank has provided $12.5 billion in loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country.
The Laws of Ukraine No. 3853-IX and No. 3854-IX of 16.07.2024, from 00:00 hrs. July 27, which provide for the introduction of exemption from duty and VAT on imports into Ukraine: power generating equipment, equipment for wind and solar generation, batteries (except for low capacity batteries), reports the State Customs Service of Ukraine on Friday.
The Service separately draws attention to the fact that such important goods for the population as: electric generators, inverters, lithium-ion batteries and charging stations on their basis, as well as solar panels for repair and/or replacement from damage and expansion of the capacity of existing solar power plants fall under preferential import to Ukraine.
Also in the department emphasize that the list of goods that are exempt from customs duties on imports includes equipment for the manufacture of means of countering technical intelligence and/or repair of mechanized demining machines, and such defense equipment as means of radio-electronic means of detection and countering unmanned aerial vehicles.
“The amendments provide for the period of martial law in Ukraine exemption from customs duties for goods imported for energy security, including those transported (forwarded) to the customs territory of Ukraine in international mail and express shipments, for free circulation and classified under the following codes according to the UKT FEA: 8406 (except 8406 10 00 00), 8410 (only hydraulic turbines and their parts), 8483 40 21 00, 8502 20 40 90, 8502 20 60 90, 8502 20 80 90, 8411 (except turboprop and turbojet engines and their parts), 8501 64 00 00 00 00, 8504 40 84 00 (except inverter welding machines), 8504 40 88 00 00 (except inverter welding machines), 8504 40 90 00 00 (except inverter welding machines), 8507 60 00 00 (except energy storage units of less than 300 watts AC and/or DC and individual lithium-ion cells of less than 200 Ah capacity), 8541 43 00 00 00, 8537 (except for 8537 10 98 10), 8503 00 99 00 (only for wind power electric generator sets), components for the organization of own production and repair in Ukraine of mechanized demining machines, classified in commodity positions 8427, 8430, 8479 under the UKT FEA, as well as for the manufacture by enterprises of Ukraine active means of countering technical intelligence, classified in commodity positions 8517, 8525, 8543 under the UKT FEA“, – specified in the State Customs Service”, – specified in the State Customs Service.
