Brussels is supporting the reconstruction of the country’s electricity grid through a €20.5 million fund
Russia has been bombing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for weeks with the aim of damaging the electricity grid. Brussels warned this Tuesday that Moscow has already destroyed or damaged, destroyed or damaged 30% of the country’s facilities, which are already suffering from power outages. The European Union (EU) has pledged to support the reconstruction of these infrastructures with a €20.5 million fund, “but more help is needed,” said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.
The recovery of the Ukrainian electricity network is essential for the winter. The bombings could leave millions of people without electricity, heat and water, in a country that already experiences freezing temperatures at night. Samson has written a letter asking for “emergency aid” for Kiev.
Months ago, the EU set up a fund to collect and allocate donations to repair Ukrainian energy facilities. The fund currently has 20.5 million euros, but Brussels fears it will not be enough to absorb the damage. For this reason, it has asked Member States to donate what they can, both money and energy equipment.
“Private companies have also been generous, sending 10 million euros worth of energy equipment to Kiev,” said Simson, adding that the country also needs diesel and gasoline.
The energy crisis in Ukraine has also hit Moldova, a neighboring country that imports about 30% of its energy from Kiev. “It’s a big problem,” the commissioner acknowledged. Last week, the country received news that Gazprom will cut gas supplies to the country, which will also reduce the flow of this energy from Transnistria. “It’s another example of Russia using gas as a weapon.”
Moldovan authorities are trying to source energy from alternative suppliers, such as Romania, “but that’s not enough,” warned Simson, who has assured the country also needs funding. The European Commission is currently studying how to strengthen its aid to Moldova.
Source: La Verdad
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