The sun and wind have grown, but water has not overtaken them: which renewable energy sources are leading in Ukraine
5 August 22:03
INFOGRAPHICS
Water remains the basis of green energy in Ukraine, despite the growing role of the sun and wind. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to an infographic by the content marketing agency Top Lead.
Hydropower has been steadily dominating the structure of green electricity production in Ukraine for many decades. Despite the active development of solar and wind capacities since 2012, water remains the main source of renewable energy.
According to a study based on information from the Our World in Data resource, in 2024, hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) formed the basis of the Ukrainian renewable energy sector, accounting for about two-thirds of the green electricity produced.
Between 1990 and 2024, energy production from renewable sources increased overall, although the dynamics were uneven. The most notable growth occurred after 2014, coinciding with the introduction of the feed-in tariff, the attraction of foreign investors, and Ukraine’s political commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU.
Hydropower as a stable basis for Ukraine’s energy security
Until 2010, hydroelectric power plants were practically the only source of renewable electricity in Ukraine. According to the infographic, the average annual production of hydropower during this period ranged from 10-15 TWh. Hydropower production peaked in the late 1990s, and then in 2021, when production exceeded 15 TWh. In 2024, despite the war, hydropower provided more than 12 TWh of production, remaining a key source of green electricity in the country.
Among the factors of hydropower stability are the presence of powerful plants on the Dnipro, Dniester, and Southern Bug rivers, as well as the long-term operation of existing infrastructure without the need for significant investments in new construction.
Solar and wind are the drivers of energy growth in the last decade
Starting in 2012, solar and wind power plants began to emerge in Ukraine amid government incentives. While their contribution to total generation was almost zero before 2010, by 2020, wind energy generated more than 0.8 TWh annually, and solar energy more than 6 TWh. According to the latest data, in 2024, wind generation amounted to about 0.3 TWh, and solar generation – more than 6 TWh.
These figures indicate a gradual diversification of energy sources within RES, with a bias in favor of hydroelectric power plants.
Solar energy has demonstrated the fastest growth in terms of production over the past decade, due to a relatively low barrier to entry, rapid construction, and high profitability of projects during the period of the feed-in tariff.
Read also: Wind breakthrough: Ukraine can increase the production of “green” electricity by 5 times
War in Ukraine: challenges and opportunities for renewable energy
Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 has had a significant impact on the renewable energy industry. A significant number of solar and wind power plants were located in the occupied or frontline territories, resulting in the loss of assets, destruction of infrastructure, and project suspensions. Nevertheless, in 2023-2024, there was a gradual recovery of interest in renewable energy investments, particularly in the safer regions of central and western Ukraine.
In addition, the war has increased the relevance of energy decentralization. Local solar power plants, energy storage systems, and autonomous wind turbines have become not only a means of saving money, but also tools for ensuring energy resilience in the face of threats to infrastructure.
Strategic perspectives: decentralization and decarbonization
According to the updated Energy Strategy of Ukraine, the share of RES in the overall energy balance should increase to 25-30% by 2030. In the context of European integration and the implementation of climate commitments, this implies not only the development of new solar and wind capacities, but also the modernization of hydroelectric power plants and the integration of innovative technologies such as bioenergy and storage.
At the same time, experts emphasize the need for a balanced approach to the structure of renewable energy sources. Excessive dependence on hydroelectric power plants does not meet the current requirements of sustainable development and may pose risks in the context of climate change, hydrological fluctuations and technical deterioration of equipment.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
