Estonia pledges €2 million to strengthen Ukraine’s energy system

Estonia has announced a €2 million contribution to help bolster Ukraine’s energy system, as the country continues to face sustained Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

The funding, provided by Estonia’s Ministry of Climate Affairs, will be channelled through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and used to support urgent repairs and ensure the continuity of energy supplies during the winter months, Caliber.Az reports per Estonian media.

Since 2022, Russia has carried out more than a thousand targeted strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, destroying power plants, substations and gas facilities. As a result, Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity has fallen by around two-thirds. Without international assistance, the country would be unable to meet peak winter demand, officials say.

The energy shortfall has had knock-on effects on essential services, including water supply, sewage systems and healthcare facilities.

Estonia’s Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said the support reflected the country’s long-term commitment to Ukraine. “Energy is not just an economic sector in Ukraine today – it is a matter of survival,” he said. “Every restored substation and every functioning generator means warm homes, working hospitals and a functioning society.”

The funding will be used to meet the most urgent needs of Ukrainian energy companies, including the procurement of spare parts, generators and fuel, as well as emergency repair works. Payments from the fund are made directly to suppliers of goods and services, a mechanism designed to ensure transparency and oversight.

The Ukraine Energy Support Fund was established by the European Commission in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy to mitigate the impact of Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure. It is managed by the Energy Community, of which Estonia is a member.

Estonia has previously contributed €620,000 to the fund through its Foreign Ministry. In total, international donors have pledged €1.44 billion to support Ukraine’s energy sector.

Sutt said Estonia hoped its actions would encourage other countries to follow suit, adding that supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was “a shared responsibility” linked to the defence of freedom and democracy.

Alongside financial assistance, Estonia has also sent generators, transformers and other critical energy equipment to Ukraine, and says work is continuing on further donations and cooperation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev