US Department of Energy says it is ready to help Ukraine on the path to energy efficiency
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz during his working visit to the United States.
"Representatives of the head of the U.S. Department of Energy assured their readiness to support Ukraine and to cooperate in the field of energy efficiency," the Department of Information and Communication of the Secretariat of the Cabinet stated on Wednesday.
During the meeting, participants discussed the government’s plans for achieving energy independence. Groysman noted that energy independence is a matter of national security for Ukraine. "Our task is to diversify, to become an energy efficient state, and we are working on this today. Energy reform is one of the important priorities that we work on," the Prime Minister said.
He also announced the first steps that the government made in this direction. He explained about the introduction of a single market gas price by the government. This decision will help to overcome corruption in the sector, stimulate an increase of domestic gas production and help achieve energy efficiency in the country. At the same time, social-targeted support after the introduction of market prices for gas will be provided for those who need it.
According to Groysman, the government's attention is also focused on the nuclear power industry and the development of alternative energy. In the near future the government also plans to develop hydropower. The Prime Minister noted that the potential of the hydropower sector may be increased to account for 15.5% of power generated in the country, compared with 8.5% today.
Separately, Groysman noted the need for the modernization and restructuring of Ukrainian mines. The government is also focusing on the reform of Naftogaz.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for its support of Ukraine’s energy sector.