Advancing National Ukrainian Reforms in the Energy Sector

A Ukraine study visit, financed by the EU and Government of Sweden, under the OECD “Sector Competitiveness Strategy for Ukraine” project phase III took place at the Danish Energy Agency from April 21 – 23, 2015. The visit was arranged by the OECD as part of the OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme supporting the Government of Ukraine in advancing national economic reforms.

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) had the pleasure of welcoming the 15 delegates, including the OECD and representatives from the Ukrainian government as well as the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry, State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Regional Development and the Economic Reforms Coordination Center.

The major focus of the OECD “Sector Competitiveness Strategy for Ukraine” project is to build institutional capacity and transfer of methodologies to Ukrainian policy makers in areas to support private sector investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The three day study visit program was intensive and filled with engaged and very fruitful presentations followed by discussions on renewable energy and energy efficiency matters reflecting experiences and challenges of Denmark and Ukraine.

After the OECD, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings and the DEA had given their welcoming remarks, a presentation followed on Ukraine´s challenges concerning increasing private sector development and investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency by State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings of Ukraine. Hereafter, the DEA gave a presentation on implementing renewable energy strategies with focus on regulatory and policy growth and the Danish overview of implementing energy efficiency strategies in the building sector and the Ukraine-Danish Energy Cooperation. The following discussions showed a strong and common interest in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency and a relevance to continued exchanging of knowledge.

Members of the Ukrainian delegation were exposed to the current state of the art and the prospects in developing both energy efficiency and renewable energy in Denmark. The most valuable experience for us was the opportunity to discuss and compare local practice and Ukrainian realities. The site visits were very interesting and enlightening. The Ukrainian delegation extends the deep gratitude to DEA for its high professional level and the scope of information delivered that will feed our knowledge and its application to drafting Ukrainian legal framework for energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ukraine

- Mr. Sergiy Dubovyk, Advisor to Head of State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings of Ukraine.

The delegation visited Borup Varmeværk, which is among the most cost effective district heating plants using straw. The 7.5 MW plant supplies heat to around 1250 homes and a number of institutions and commercial buildings. The Ukrainian group paid a great interest to the economic, technical and practical operations of the heating plant including the straw-system and was especially interested in the price setting for straw and the design of contracts with the fifteen local farmers who delivers the straw to the plant. Ukraine want to expand the number of biomass fired heating plants and thereby reduce the consumption of gas. Ukraine has considerable local straw and wood resources that can be used for heating purposes.

At the Danish Technology Institute the participants were presented to the Green Lab for Energy Efficient Buildings and took great interest in energy savings and energy improvements concerning concrete apartment housing. The delegation then visited the residential building complex Gadehavegaard in Taastrup.

The delegation also had a presentation on ESCO projects in Denmark at Schneider Electric in Ballerup were the ESCO-model was discussed with a point of reference to more than twenty ongoing activities in the Danish municipalities. This debate sparked a great interest with the delegation due to the recent permission of ESCO initiatives in Ukraine from the parliament.

The delegation worked on possible solutions to Ukraine challenges under the OECD “Sector Competitiveness Strategy for Ukraine” project phase III and a technical meeting was held on the work areas of the Ukraine – Danish Energy Cooperation which covers

1. Methodology of long term forecast modelling for national energy balance.
2. Methodology for greenhouse gas registry and UNFCCC reporting.
3. Monitoring system in the sphere of energy efficiency at industrial sub-sector level.
4. Methodology and tools for analysis of integrating renewable energy in regional grids.
5. Methodology and software for energy scenario analysis.
6. Analysis of options for increased use of biomass and biogas in the heat sector.

The study visit was prepared by OECD in a very effective manner which included presentations, group exercises and discussions. The study visit showed the relevance of sharing experiences and challenges between the parties and underlined the importance of continued interaction in order to find future sustainable solutions on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Om delegationsbesøget, Om det bilaterale samarbejde med Ukraine

Kamilla Kristensen Rai
Specialkonsulent
Center for Global Rådgivning og Forhandling
Tlf.: 33 92 75 56
kkr@ens.dk