Selling electricity to the EU: why Ukraine exports the resource in conditions of shortage

Ukraine has resumed electricity sales to the European Union, although volumes remain minimal. Such deliveries occur exclusively during hours of surplus, when domestic generation exceeds current demand.

Doctor of Economics and Head of Energy Programs at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future Andrian Prokip explained on the air of “Pryamoy” that exporting electricity allows energy companies to raise foreign currency for repairs and avoid losses from stopping solar power plants during the day.

“To say that it has been restored is an understatement, because exports took place over two days in a very small volume. 37 megawatt-hours. These are very small volumes,” he noted, adding that any foreign exchange earnings in the current economic conditions are of significant importance for the industry.

According to the economist, the power system currently does not have sufficient capacity to store excess energy, as pumped storage plants have been damaged, and during daytime hours, solar generation creates a surplus that cannot be consumed domestically.

The only alternative to export is a forced restriction of producers, for which the state is forced to pay compensation, so selling the resource abroad is a more profitable financial solution to maintain stability, – emphasized Andrian Prokip, head of energy programs at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future.

It was previously reported that Ukraine has resumed electricity exports to Europe . However, this does not mean a large-scale export of the resource from the country. It is only about small volumes that arise at certain hours due to a temporary generation surplus.

Instead, the government reported that the total need for restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine is 588 billion US dollars. According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, in 2025 alone, Russian aggression caused Ukraine losses of 64 billion dollars. The housing sector, transport and logistics infrastructure, and energy suffered the greatest damage.

At the same time, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the need for restoration and modernization of the energy sector for the next ten years is $90.6 billion. Compared to the previous estimate, this amount has increased by 34%. For the rapid restoration of the energy sector in 2026, $4.9 billion is needed .

Meanwhile, the leader of the “European Solidarity” Petro Poroshenko called on the authorities to urgently organize financing for the preparation of the energy sector for the next winter. According to the fifth President, the government should issue targeted government bonds and use these funds to ensure the modernization and protection of the energy system by the fall.

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