UNDP and Japan deliver autotransformers to Ukraine
UNDP and Japan, working closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy and Ukrenergo, have procured and delivered two new powerful autotransformers to Ukraine.
Image source: UNDP
Ukraine, Kyiv: UNDP and Japan, working closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy and Ukrenergo, have procured and delivered two new powerful autotransformers to Ukraine.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Government of Japan and working closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy and national power company Ukrenergo, has procured and delivered two new powerful autotransformers to Ukraine.
These transformers are essential substation components, and without them, the grid cannot operate efficiently and supply electricity to end users. UNDP’s Energy Damage Assessment of June 2023 found that attacks on infrastructure had slashed Ukraine’s power generation capacity by a half (51%) of transmission capacity by 45% (with 42 out of 94 high-voltage transformers damaged or destroyed).
Herman Galushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine, said the autotransformers were among the key targets during the massive attacks last winter. “The Russians were destroying the equipment that transmits and supplies electricity to Ukrainians,” he said. “Replacing such autotransformers takes time and money, and their critical importance extends to the entire country.”
As UNDP Resident Representative of Ukraine Jaco Cilliers points out, dependable power is the backbone of any thriving nation: “By fortifying Ukraine’s energy grid, we’re not only providing electricity, but also building up the nation’s resilience,” he said.
Last winter, attacks on energy infrastructure damaged most of the country’s substations, some beyond repair. As a result, there were widespread power outages, affecting approximately 12 million people. Everyday activities became daunting challenges, and for Ukrainian businesses, the outages resulted in income losses.
High-power transformers are also critical for maintaining other essential utilities, such as heating and running the pumps which ensure that every household has access to clean water and effective sewage systems. By providing these transformers, UNDP hopes to shield families from the risks of unsafe water sources, potential sewage backups, and the dangers of hazardous heating methods.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, said that Japan was determined to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, which includes providing various kinds of support to keep the people of Ukraine warm and provided with power this winter.
Ambassador Matsuda also announced additional support, saying that “Japan pledges its support for the procurement of two additional autotransformers, and the delivery of seven more units through UNDP.”
CEO of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said these are the first new autotransformers for high-voltage substations purchased with funds from international donors. He said, “UNDP was the first among Ukraine’s international donors to efficiently navigate the complex path of procuring and delivering sophisticated high-tech equipment for our country. In the energy sector, this usually takes many months. Equipment that will provide electricity to over half a million Ukrainians will already now be operational during this heating season.”
Source: UNDP