EU increases electricity import limit for Ukraine before winter

Ukraine and the EU have agreed to increase the possibility of importing electricity in winter to 2.1 GW.

"From 1 December, the maximum capacity for importing electricity from the EU will be increased from the current 1.7 to 2.1 GW. This will increase the stability of the Ukrainian energy system," Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said.

Ukraine will also be able to receive an additional 250 MW of guaranteed capacity from the EU in emergency mode.

Winter power shortages and outages are inevitable, and in the best-case scenario, there will be no electricity for up to 5 hours a day.

On 19 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would €160 million to help Ukraine prepare for another winter amid Russian attacks on the country's energy system.

Meanwhile, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, announced that to support Ukraine's energy system, which has been damaged by Russian attacks, the EU plans to increase electricity exports to Ukraine this winter and is preparing to supply energy equipment.

In her estimation, Ukraine faces a difficult winter, but the situation will not be catastrophic.

Watch the full interview with Katarína Mathernová on winter preparations, funding for arms, and EU accession.