Total capacity of renewable energy facilities in Ukraine exceeded 2 GW in 2018

“The installed capacity of renewable energy sources grew by half over the past year and exceeded 2 GW. According to our estimates, this year the volume of these capacities will be even higher. We expect the introduction of 300 MW only for wind generation, while in general - more than 1 GW of capacity,” she said at a round table meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

At the same time, Buslavets outlined a range of challenges for the Ukrainian electric power industry, which appeared as a result of the rapid development of "green" energy sources.

In 2018, renewable energy facilities produced 2.8 billion kWh of electricity or about 2% of total generation. Buslavets also noted that payments for this energy amounted to UAH 16.8 billion, or about 8% of total payments for produced electricity.

She stressed that in terms of the distribution of electricity charges, producers of renewable energy are in priority.

“The cost of electricity is paid to them in full, unlike other producers, the total debt to whom in the market makes up more than UAH 28 billion. This issue has not been resolved,” said Buslavets.

Among other challenges for the renewable energy are changeover mode of generation and low forecasting accuracy, said Buslavets.

As Ukrinform reported, according to the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, electricity generation  amounted to 159.35 billion kWh in 2018, which is 2.5% more than in 2017. The share of nuclear power plants in the Ukrainian electricity output made up 53%, thermal power plants and power plants - 37%, hydroelectric power plants - 7%, renewable energy facilities - 2%, power plants and other sources - 1%.

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